Mahamaya, the mother of Siddhartha Gautama who later became known as Gautama Buddha, holds a special place in Buddhist tradition as a figure associated with the miraculous and divine events surrounding the birth of the enlightened one. Her story is integral to the early life of the Buddha and is often told to highlight the auspicious circumstances surrounding his birth.
Mahamaya, also known as Queen Maya, was the wife of King Suddhodana, the ruler of the Sakya kingdom in ancient India. According to Buddhist texts, she was of noble birth and possessed exceptional qualities. The story of her conceiving Siddhartha is recounted in both Buddhist scriptures and various Jataka tales.
The tale begins with a dream that Queen Mahamaya had on the night Siddhartha was conceived. In her dream, she saw a white elephant with six tusks entering her right side. This auspicious dream was interpreted by royal seers as a divine sign that the queen would give birth to a son who would either become a great king or a Buddha, depending on whether he encountered suffering.
Mahamaya's pregnancy was said to be accompanied by extraordinary events. As the time for her delivery approached, the queen expressed a wish to visit her parental home in Devadaha. On her journey, she stopped at the Lumbini Grove, a beautiful garden in present-day Nepal. While standing there and reaching out to a Sal tree, she went into labor.
Legend has it that the baby Siddhartha emerged from her right side, and immediately upon birth, he took seven steps, with lotus flowers blooming under his feet at each step. With his seventh step, he pointed towards the sky and declared, "In this universe, I am the supreme." These auspicious events became known as the "Seven Steps" and are often depicted in artistic representations of Siddhartha's birth.
Tragically, Mahamaya passed away just seven days after giving birth to Siddhartha. She returned to her palace in Kapilavastu, where her sister Prajapati Gautami assumed the role of Siddhartha's mother. Prajapati Gautami later played a significant part in Siddhartha's life as he grew up and eventually became the Buddha.
Mahamaya's story holds profound symbolism in Buddhism. Her dream, the miraculous birth, and Siddhartha's early declarations are seen as manifestations of the extraordinary nature of the being who would later attain enlightenment and become the Buddha. The theme of auspicious signs and divine occurrences at the birth of a significant spiritual figure is not unique to Buddhism and is found in various religious traditions.
The Lumbini Grove, where Mahamaya gave birth, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists worldwide. A pillar erected by the Indian emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE marks the spot traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Siddhartha.
In summary, Mahamaya, the mother of Gautama Buddha, played a crucial role in the early life of the enlightened one. Her dream, the miraculous birth, and the subsequent events surrounding Siddhartha's early years are significant aspects of Buddhist mythology and serve as a foundational narrative in the life of the Buddha. Mahamaya's devotion and sacrifice are remembered as part of the rich tapestry of Buddhist teachings and traditions.
