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The name of this country, 'Bharat/Bharatavarsha', is derived from the name of Rishabhaputra 'Bharat'. This fact is clear and confirmed by the following citations:
- Citations from Jain/Vedic tradition:
- Agni Purana
- Markandeya Purana (107.10-11)
- 'Rishabha' was born to 'Nabhiraja' and 'Marudevi'. 'Bharat' was born from Rishabha. Rishabha gave the kingdom to 'Bharat' and took sannyasa. This country was named 'Bharatavarsha' after Bharat. Bharat's son's name was 'Sumati'.
- ऋषभो मरुदेव्यां च ऋषभाद् भरतोऽभवत् । ऋषभो दत्तश्रीः पुत्रे शाल्यग्रामे हरि गतः । भरताद् भारतं वर्ष भरतात् सुमतिस्त्वभूत् ॥
- Brahmanda Purana
- 'Rishabha' was born to 'Agni-dhrasuna' and 'Nabhi'. 'Bharat' was born from Rishabha, who was the eldest among his hundred brothers. Rishabha crowned his eldest son Bharat and took Mahapravraja. This great soul performed penance in the 'Pulha' ashram. Rishabha gave the southern region named 'Himavat' to Bharat to rule. This country was named 'Bharatavarsha' after this great soul 'Bharat'.
- आग्नीधसूनोर्नाभेस्तु ऋषभोऽभूत् सुतो द्विजः । ऋषभाद् भरतो जज्ञे वीरः पुत्रशताद् वरः ॥ सोऽभिषिच्यर्षभः पुत्रं महाप्राव्राज्यमास्थितः । तपस्तेपे महाभागः पुलहाश्रम संश्रयः ॥ हिमाहवं दक्षिणं वर्ष भरताय पिता ददौ । तस्मात्तु भारतं वर्षं तस्य नाम्ना महात्मनः ॥ (50.39-42)
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- 'Rishabha' was born to 'Nabhi', the son of 'Agni-dhra'. 'Bharat' was born from Rishabha, who was the eldest among his hundred brothers. Rishabha crowned his eldest son Bharat and took Mahapravraja. This great soul performed penance in the 'Pulha' ashram. Rishabha gave the southern region named 'Himavat' to Bharat to rule. This country was named 'Bharatavarsha' after this great soul 'Bharat'.
- Supplement
- 'Bharat' from Rishabhaputra
- 'Nabhi' gave birth to 'Rishabha', the best of kings, to 'Marudevi'. Rishabha was the ancestor of all Kshatriyas. 'Bharat' was born from Rishabha, who was the eldest among his hundred brothers. Rishabha crowned him and took Mahapravraja. He gave the southern region named 'Himavat' to Bharat to rule. This region was later called 'Bharatavarsha' after Bharat.
- नाभिस्त्वजनयत् पुत्रं मरुदेव्यां ऋषभं पार्थिवश्रेष्ठं सर्वक्षत्रस्य ऋषभाद् भरतो जज्ञे वीर: सोऽभिषिच्यर्षभः पुत्रं महाप्रव्रज्यया महाद्युतिम् । पूर्वजम् ॥ ६० ॥ पुत्रशताग्रजः । स्थितः ॥ ६१ ॥ (पूर्व २.१४)
- 'Nabhi' gave birth to 'Rishabha', the best of kings, to 'Marudevi'. Rishabha was the ancestor of all Kshatriyas. 'Bharat' was born from Rishabha, who was the eldest among his hundred brothers. Rishabha crowned him and took Mahapravraja. He gave the southern region named 'Himavat' to Bharat to rule. This region was later called 'Bharatavarsha' after Bharat.
- Skanda Purana
- 'Nabhi' gave the southern region named 'Himavat' to Bharat. This country is known as 'Bharatavarsha' after him.
- हिमाहवं दक्षिणं वर्षं भरताय न्यवेदयत् । तस्मात्तु भारतं वर्ष तस्य नाम्ना विदुर्बुधाः ॥ ६२ ॥
- 'Nabhi's son was 'Rishabha', and 'Bharat' was born from Rishabha. This country is called 'Bharat' after him.
- नाभेः पुत्रश्च ऋषभः ऋषभाद् भरतोऽभवत् । तस्य नाम्ना त्विदं वर्ष भारतं चेति कीर्त्यते ॥ (खंडस्थ कौमारखंड ३७.५७)
- Linga Purana
- 'Nabhi' gave birth to 'Rishabha', the best of kings, to 'Marudevi'. Rishabha was the ancestor of all Kshatriyas. 'Bharat' was born from Rishabha, who was the eldest among his hundred brothers. Rishabha crowned Bharat and took sannyasa. He renounced all desires and performed penance. He gave the southern region named 'Himavat' to Bharat to rule. This country is known as 'Bharatavarsha' after him.
- मरुदेव्यां महामतिः । सर्वक्षत्र - सुपूजितम् ॥ नाभिस्त्वजनयत् पुत्रं ऋषभं पार्थिवश्रेष्ठं ऋषभाद् भरतो जज्ञे वीरः पुत्रशताग्रजः । सोऽभिषिच्याथ ऋषभो भरतं पुत्रवत्सलः ॥ ज्ञानवैराग्यमाश्रित्य जित्वेन्द्रिय-महोरगान् । सर्वात्मनात्मनि स्थाप्य परमात्मानमीश्वरम् ॥ नग्नोजटी निराहारोऽचीवरो ध्वान्तगतो हि सः । निराशस्त्यक्तसंदेहः शैवमाप परं पदम् ॥ हिमाद्रेर्दक्षिणं वर्ष भरताय न्यवेदयत् । तस्मात्तु भारतं वर्षं सत्य नाम्ना विदुर्बुधाः ॥ (47.19-23)
- 'Nabhi' gave birth to 'Rishabha', the best of kings, to 'Marudevi'. Rishabha was the ancestor of all Kshatriyas. 'Bharat' was