$JES 202 Jain Story Book Level 2 Book

SR No.: 000121
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 160
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Jaina_Education, 0_Jaina_education, & JAINA Books
File Size: 22 MB

Page 61

BHARAT AND BÄHUBALI
3 - Bharat and Bähubali
Before his renunciation of worldly life, Lord Rishabhadev or Lord Adinath, was known as King Rishabh and had two wives, Sumangala and Sunanda. By Sumangalä, he had 99 sons, of whom Bharat was the eldest and the best known, and one daughter named Brähmi. By the second wife, Sunandä, he had one son named Bähubali and a daughter named Sundari. All of them were given proper training in different arts and crafts. Bharat became a great warrior and a politician. Sunanda's son was tall, well built, and strong, and hence was called Bahubali. In Sanskrit, "Bähu" means arm and "Bali" means mighty. Brahmi attained a very high level of literary proficiency. She developed the first known script, known as the Brähmi script. Sundari was very proficient in mathematics. After Lord Rishabhadev attained omniscience, both girls renounced their worldly lives and became his disciples. As a King, Rishabhadev had the responsibility of a large kingdom. At the time of his renunciation, he handed over the city of Vinitä, also known as Ayodhyä, to Bharat, and the city of Taxshilä (Pottanpur according to Digambar scriptures) to Bähubali. He gave different parts of his vast kingdom to his remaining 98 sons.
Incidences in the lives of King Bharat and King Bähubali
Bharat quickly established control over Vinitä. He was an ambitious ruler and intended to become emperor of the entire nation. For this purpose, he organized a strong army and started developing different types of fighting equipment. He also possessed a miraculous wheel called Chakraratna ("Chakra" means wheel and "ratna" means precious jewel) that would never miss its target. After developing his army and weapons, he embarked upon his journey of conquest. There was hardly anyone at that time who could withstand his well-equipped army. He easily conquered all the regions around Vinitä. Then, he turned his attention towards the lands of his 98 brothers and asked them to acknowledge his superiority. They all turned to Lord Rishabhadev to ask for advice. Bhagawan explained to them the importance of conquering their inner enemies (passions) and not external enemies. He also advised them on how to attain liberation, a "true kingdom." Having realized the futility of fighting with their elder brother, the sons surrendered their territories to him, renounced worldly life, and became disciples of Lord Rishabhadev.
JAIN STORY BOOK