________________
Ego/HUMILITY
Bähubali
Rishabhadev, the first Tirthankar had 100 avert unnecessary bloodshed. Since both children. Bharat was the oldest son and the brothers were agreeable they suggested Bahubali was the second. All the other that they might engage in a straight duel children took Dikshä with him when and whoever was found superior would be Rishabhadev renounced the world. Bharat declared as the victor. Bharat and Bahubali wanted to be the sovereign of all kings. both agreed. Accordingly, the duel took Hence, he traveled all over India fighting place in which Bharat tried to beat Bahubali wars and returned home after conquering by using different types of equipment at all the kings of India. However, he soon his command. Bharat, however, was not realized that his younger brother Bahubali successful in beating his brother. How was not under his rule. Hence, he sent a could he bear his defeat knowing that messenger to Bahubali, the King of Taxshilä, he intended to conquer all of India? He to accept his superiority. He hoped that became desperate and ignored the rules that Bahubali would surrender to him without a were agreed upon for the duel. He thus fight
hurled his miracle wheel, the Chakraratna,
at Bähubali. However, as the miracle wheel Bähubali, however, was not prepared to
was not meant to hurt blood relatives, it accept his brother as a sovereign king.
came back without hurting Bähubali. When Bharat came to know of this he was very angry. He ordered his army to march towards and invade Taxshilä.
The armies of both brothers were strong and war between the two was sure to result in a large-scale bloodshed. The counselors on both sides tried to prevent their masters from resorting to war; but neither of them would give up his ground. The war seemed inevitable and both brothers brought their armies face to face with each other. Every one shuddered at the prospect of the heavy casualties that would result due to the imminent war. At last the counselors explained to their masters that the point at issue pertained to the determination of the superiority between the two. Instead of going to a large-scale war for that purpose they may better resort to a fight between two brothers. Only that would
Bähubali became mad at Bharat's violation of the rules of the duel. He therefore thought of smashing the elder brother with his mighty fist. As he raised his hand for that purpose, the onlookers trembled with the idea of Bharat's imminent death.
However all of a sudden, Bahubali thought, What am I doing? Am I going to kill
82
THE FIRST STEP OF JAINISM
For Private & Personal use only
www.ainerary
