Sruta Sarita

SR No.: 001940
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 310
Language: English, Prakrit, Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Articles
File Size: 18 MB

Page 140

THE STORY OF BHARATA AND BAHUBALI
131
that there were 15 of them and mentions Rsabha also as the last Kulakara. Jinasena in his Mahāpurāņa (MP) accepts Rsabha and Bharata also as Kulakaras and thus in all there are 16 kulakaras (MP. 3.76, ff. 3. 213, -3.229-32).
Relation of Rsabha with Bharata etc. as father is mentioned in PC 3. 119. 120 but out of the two wives Sumangalā and Nandā as to whose sons and daughters Bharata etc. were is not clear. The same is the case with AN. 187. Only about 98 sons other than Bharata and Bāhubali it is clearly stated that Sumangalā was their mother (AN. 188).
In AN the cause of renunciation of Rsabha is not mentioned but PC mentions that on seeing the dark-blue cloth (nilaṁ vāsaṁ datthuṁ 3. 122) he desired the emancipation. According to Ravisena (PP. 3. 263) Nilāñjanā's dancing was the cause.
In PC there is no mention of the simultaneous happenings of the attainment of Kevala by Rsabha and emergence of Cakra for Bharata. So Bharata has not to decide where to go first unlike the mention in AN 268 ff, that he went to Rsabha first with his mother, Marudevī.
PC 4.37 mentions that 100 sons of Rsabha became ascetics but AN mentions that Rsabhasena, sons and daughter of Rsabha amd Marīci and other grandsons became ascetics on hearing the preachings of Rsabha (AN. 270-77). The reason of becoming monks for Rsabha's sons was that they did not want to surrender to Bharata when he became Cakravarti (AN. 275-6).
As regards the fight of Bharata and Bahubali PC and AN are unanimous in saying that there should be no war, only they two should fight (nadhammena jujjhe AN. 276; kim vahena logassa PC. 4.43). In AN the use of Cakra is due to some devată (AN. 276) while PC directly says that Bharata threw the Cakra towards Bahubali (PC. 4. 43). PP also confirms this and it is said that Cakra did not work (PC. 4. 47-8. PP. 4. 73).
On being questioned by Bharata, Rsabha discloses that Marīci will be the last Tirthankara in future, again he will become the first Vasudeva and Cakravarti. Hearing this Bharata goes to bow down to Marici (AN 304-12). Nothing is mentioned about this in PC. Ravisena only mentions that Marīci became the head of Parivrājakas but does not mention his relation with Bharata (PP. 3. 293).
Rsabha once reached Takşaśilā and this information was given to Bāhubalī. He wanted to worship Rsabha next morning but Rsabha other place. So in his memory Bāhubalī built a dharamacakra at the place where