________________
13
BAHUBALI IN PRAKRIT LITERATURE
PREM SUMAN JAIN
The great Bahubali finds a respectful place in Prakrit literature. His name is to be found enshrined as a man who had a profound love for non-violencea principle which has been a distant and shining seal of Jaina religion and philosophy. Inspite of the fact that he was an embodiment of strength itself, he advocated vigorously and practised whole-heartly non-violence as well as renunciation, the principles which could well be regarded as the backbone of Jainism.
In the celebrated Jain literature, which is mainly available in Prakrit, Sanskrit as well as Apabhramsa languages, one comes across references to the great Bahubali together with the mention of the Emperor Bharata, his brother. While going through the pages pertaining to the life of Bhagvan Kṣabhadeva references to both of them are to be found recorded. It may be noted that the texts, written in Prakrit, viz., Adina hacariyam and Ṛgabhadevacariyam throw fight on the life of Bhagvan Rşabhadeva. There are other texts too such as Chaupannamahapurisacariyam, Vasudevahindi, Paumacariyam, Jambūdivapaṇṇatti etc., which shed light on the life of the same celebrated Tirthankara'. It is with this apostle that Bahubali finds mention. There is literature of the Agamas and that of commentaries namely Kalpasūtra, Avalyakaniryukti, vadyakacürṇi, Uttaradhyayana-tika etc., too which gives accounts of Bahubali. However, it is a matter of regret that there is not to be found a single treatisede aling comprehensively and completely with the life of such a personality in such a vast and varied literature like this one. The reason, however, appears to be that the life of Rabhadeva and the personality in question is so inextricably interwoven that no author in Jain literature thought it fit to undertake such task. With the result one has to remain contended with the material scattered here and there only.
Attention may be drawn to the commentary on the Avadyakaniryukti,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
