$JES 203 First Step of Jainism Level 2 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 83

BAHUBALI
my elder brother for the sake of worldly possessions that my revered father has willingly abandoned and which my other brothers have given up?' He shuddered at the prospect of the imminent death of Bharat. Within a moment he changed his mind. He saw the evil in killing his brother whom he used to respect. As proud as he was how could he ever lower his raised hand? How could he accept Bharat as a sovereign king? He therefore used his hand to pull out his hair as a symbol of giving up everything and renouncing the worldly life.
meditation. An obstacle prevents him from attaining enlightenment. They asked him what that obstacle was. "Well, shallow pride works as an obstacle in this case. He is required to offer his salutations and obeisance to monks senior to him, including all his younger brothers. However, he does not want to do this. The moment gives up his ego he will attain the divine light." Both the nuns went to the place where their brother, Bähubali, was meditating. They began to recite hymns and Stavans before him. They requested their brother to get down from the back of the big elephant because you cannot attain Keval-jnän riding on an elephant. They sang this through the day and continued to sing through the night At last Bahubali heard their song. Consciousness was slowly returning to him. He began to think, “Am I riding an elephant? Where is that elephant? The nuns can't be wrong!”
Bähubali became a monk on the battlefield and decided to join the congregation of his father, the first Tirthankar, Rishabhadev. Soon he realized that as a monk he would be a junior monk and he would have to bow down to his younger brothers because they were senior to him. Again his ego stopped him going to them. Since Kevali monks do not bow down to other monks. He decided to remain in the battlefield in meditation until he attained Keval-jnän because Kevali monks do not need to bow down to other monks. He began to practice hard penance and remained deeply engrossed in meditation for many months. Creepers grew around him and entwined his body. Birds built their nests in his matted hair and beard. Rishabhadev had two daughters named Brähmi and Sundari. They had become nuns many years ago. They asked Tirthankar Rishabhadev, “Where is Bähubali at present? Has he attained Keval-jnän, the highest enlightenment?” Bhagawan Rishabhadev replied, “No, he has not attained Keval-jnän. He is still in
The meaning of the whole song became clear to him. He realized that his ego (pride) was the elephant. One cannot attain eternal bliss without giving up ego. He then looked within. He rooted out his ego. He now had self-realization. He regretted the ego that had blurred his vision. As soon as Bahubali stepped out to see Bhagawan Rishabhadev and his younger brothers, all the obstacles blocking the eternal light vanished. He attained Kevaljnän.
THE FIRST STEP OF JAINISM
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