Paumchariu Part 1

SR No.: 002523
Original Sutra Author: Swayambhudev
Author: H C Bhayani
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown
Publication Year: 1953
Total Pages: 458
Language: Sanskrit, English
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Literature
File Size: 11 MB

Page 144

INTRODUCTION
103
enter the city, whereupon Bharata asked his ministers whether any king still remained unconquered (1). The ministers submitted: 'All are subdued except your younger brother Bahubali, king of Potanapura, who is mighty enough to overthrow you and your army single-handed' (2). Learning this Bharata ordered his ministers: 'So arrange that either Bahubali accepts my sovereignty or offers a battle'. The ministers went to Bahubali and told him to serve Bharata as a feudatory. Bāhubali denounced them saying: 'As our father gave each of us his due share of territory, I am in no way indebted to Bharata. Why then should I go to him?' The ministers replied angrily: 'Even if your territory is given to you by your father, you cannot have even an inch without paying tributes to Bharata' (3-4). Bahubali said haughtily: 'Being puffed up by world-conquest let him do his worst. As to the tributes, I will pay them tomorrow in the form of shafts, lances and javelins which would cure him of his arrogance'. Thereupon the ministers departed and told Bharata: 'Bahubali cares a straw for you. He stands prepared for giving a fight' (5).
Bharata made enormous preparations for a march. As he started, spies informed Bāhubali, who also gave orders for a countermarch. The two armies confronted each other on the battle field (6-7). The field became a scene of reckless turmoil and destruction. Seeing this the ministers cried halt and said to Bharata and Bāhubali: 'What is the use of massacring the poor soldiers? Rather you two alone fight out, first a glance-duel, then a water-duel and lastly a bodily combat. He who is victorious in all the three duels, is to be the lord of the earth and treasures'.
The advice was accepted and Bharata and Bāhubali became engaged first in a glance-duel, in which Bharata was defeated (8-9). They started the water-duel. In this also Bharata got a defeat (10), Finally they set themselves to the bodily combat. While both were trying various moves and techniques Bahubali lifted up Bharata and his army roared for triumph. Bharata, thus rebuffed, released his cakraratna on Bāhubali but the latter being a caramadehin (i.e. destined to attain salvation during this life) it by-passed him (11). But this incident moved Bahubali and he pondered: 'What is the use of a kingdom for the sake of which one has to kill one's brother, father or son. Better strive for salvation, which can earn eternal bliss for me'. He made over his territories to Bharata, accepted the Jina as the Master and having picked out five handfuls of hair stood with raised hands, immovable as a rock, for one year, during which creepers grew over him and he was turned into an abode of snakes and scorpions (12).
At this juncture Rşabha haited on Kailāsa. Bharata went there to pay obeisance. He asked Rşabha: 'Why Bahubali does not still attain Kevala?' 'Rşabha said: "Even still he cherishes the irşā-kaşaya, thinking, "even though I have made over the earth to Bharata, why am I placing my feet thereon." Hence he fails to attain Kevala' (13). Learning this Bharata went to Bāhubali and falling at his feet said: “This earth is really yours. I am only your slave'. And immediately the four Ghātikarmans of Bāhubali were destroyed and he attained Kevala. Eight Prätihāryas appeared and the gods poured in saying: "The son of the Tirthakara has become a Kevalin.' In the end he went to the abode of the Siddhas; so also did Rşabha, and Bharata ruled as a sovereign in the invincible Ayodhyā (14).