Jain Journal 1981 04

SR No.: 520062
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1981
Total Pages: 79
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 6 MB

Page 21

APRIL, 1981
It may be noted that Bahubali's account is not given in the Kalpa Sutra, but it may be argued that the text was devoted to lives of the Jinas only. The Jambūdvīpaprajñapti, which so elaborately gives the account of the conquests of Cakravartin Bharata, remains silent over the contests of Bharata and Bahubali. The earliest known sources, for us, therefore, are the Avasyaka Niryukti, v. 349 and the Bhasya verses 32-35 following it. A more elaborate account is however supplied by the Vasudevahindi (c. 5th century A.D.). The Vasudevahiṇḍi is not removed in age than the Av. Bhayṣa verses. The Paumacariyam of Vimala Suri is concise but does not seem to follow the Svetambara tradition fully since it does not refer to Brahmi and Sundari enlightening Bahubali for removal of his pride. The Paumacariyam only says that kevala-jñāna was obtained by Bahubali through his tava-bala (power of penance). In this it is fol-' lowed by Padmacarita of Ravisena.
But Bahubali is mentioned again in another context by Avasyaka Niryukti, gāthās 332 ff.,14 where it is noted that when Rsabha went to Taxila, he reached there after dusk. Bahubali (ruling at Taksasila) thought of going next morning to pay his due respects, along with his retinue. But the Lord went away and from there travelled through Bahaliya, Admbailla, Yonaka and preached to the people of Bahali, and to Yonakas and Pahlagas. Then he went to Astapada and after several years came to Purimatala near Vinita, where he obtained kevalajñāna.
Next morning when Bahubali came to know of the master's departure he felt disappointed and satisfied himself only by worshipping the spot where the Lord stood and installed an emblem-the dharma-cakra over it. The Vasudevahindi and the Paumacariyam do not refer to this but the Brhat-Kalpa Bhāṣya verse 5824 refers to it.
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With the Digambara sect, worship of images of Bahubali has been very popular, and three colossal statues of Bahubali in South India are well-known to the students of Indian art. The largest of them, about 56 ft. 6 inch. in height, was set up in c. 981-83 A.D. by Camundaraya at Sravana Belgola in Karnataka State.15 The second 41 ft. 6 inch. high,
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Avasyaka Vrtti of Haribhadra, pp. 144 ff.
See, Sharma, S. R., 'Jaina Art in South India', Jaina Antiquary (Arrah, Dec. 1935), vol. I. No. 3 pp. 46 ff. Coomaraswamy, A. K., History of Indian and Indonesian Art, p. 119., Krishna, M.H., "The Art of the Gommata Colossus', All India Oriental Conference, 7th report, pp. 690 f. etc.