Jain Siddhant Bhaskar

SR No.: 010062
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hiralal Jain, Others
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown
Publication Year: 1940
Total Pages: 143
Language: Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 7 MB

Page 120

BAHUBALI STORY IN KANNADA LITERATURE.
BY
Prof K, G. Kundangar, M.A.
In the so far published Kannaḍa Literature the story of Bahubali is first noticed in the Adi-purāna of Ādi-Pampa (about 941 A D.) To relate it here will not be out of place. Bharata was the eldest son of Adinatha, the first Tirthankara and his queen Yaśaḥsvati, and Bahubali was born of his second wife Sunanda. On account of his unsurpassed beauty of person the latter got the names Chittaja, Chittabhava, Manasija, Ananga and Angaja. When he was of proper age, his father taught him Kāmatantra, Samudrika, Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Hastyasvatantra, and Ratna-pariksa, (8-60 gadya) Bharata attained the height of 500 bow-lengths and Bahubali 525.
When it was proper time for Vrṣabhanatha to take dikṣā, the burden of the whole kingdom was thrown on his eldest son Bharata and Bahubali was made the crown-prince The latter was given the management of Paudanapura torritory (9-65 gadya).
When Cakraratna was born in the Kośāgāra of Bharata, he went on a tour of world-conquest and returned to Ayodhya His Cakra-ratna remained outside the city refusing to enter showing thereby that the conquest was not complete. After inquiry the emperor found that his brothers were to be conquered. He sent his envoys to Bahubali and others to admit his suzerain power. All others except Bahubali were unwilling to accept the offer. Neither were they able to face him. They, therefore took diksā. But Bahubali received the envoy and acquainted himself with the purpose for which he had come to him. He refused to accept the suzerainty of Bharata and prepared for war. Hearing this Bharata marched on Paudanapura with his army. Both the brothers then agreed to fight each other to avoid blood-shed of the innocent soldiers. The emperor was successively defeated by his brother in Dṛstiyuddha Jalayuddha, Mallayuddha. Enraged at this defeat he discharged his discus on his brother. But that invincible weapon being unable to touch him went round him and stood at h's right