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Bahubali in Prakrit Literature
which is found written in Sanskrit. The Bahubali-story which is found incorporated in it, is not .in Sanskrit but in Prakrit. This fact naturally leads one to suppose, and quite justifiably, that the original Bahubali's life-story recorded must have been in Prakrit and not in Sanskrit. Another point which leads considerable support to this is the fact that Srisubhasilagani's Bharatesvara-Bahubalivṛtti too is found written in Prakrit. It may thus be seen and may perhaps be safely maintained that Bahubali-life-story writing has a beginning right from the Agama period itself and flows invariably down to the Prakrit writings. This is a subject of great importance, and of interest too indeed, and it is very likely to pay rich dividends provided handled properly. It anxiously awaits a competent hand to tackle critically and comprehensively. Pt. Dalsukhbhai Malvania has also given vent to similar opinion in one of his papers."
What disappoints one is the fact that there is extremely little information available and that too in brief on the life of Bahubali in the earlier Prakrit literature. Vasudevahindi" of the 4th century A. D. narrates the story as follows:
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Bahubali was the son of Lord Rşabhadeva and younger brother of Emperor Bharata. He was born to Ṛsabhadeva's second wife known as Sunanda. His real sister's name was Sundari. Rṣabhadeva educated his son Bahubali like his other He was trained in drawing and painting and astrology. When Ṛşabhadeva distributed his wealth, Taxila fell in the share of Bahubali. As soon as Bharata acquired Cakra-Ratna, he started invasions. He desired to Vanquish Taxila also, and when he reached there, Bahubali is recorded to have offered a proposal of physical fight instead of war so that the life of the soldiers of both sides could be saved. And it was readily agreed upon by Bharata. A non-violent fight took place between them and in this Bahubali emerged victorious. Enraged at this result, Bharata could not hold himself and attacked Bahubali with his Cakra but fortunately Bahubali escaped unhurt. It was a clear violation of the agreement. Viewing this unprincipled and anti-Dharma incident Bahubali filled with disgust renounced his throne and embraced the life of a mendicant. Therefore he underwent tremendous penance, yet he could not attain Kevalajñāna because of the residual Manakaşaya in him. Eventually Brahmi is said to have appeared and instructed As a consequence Bahubali attained his desired Kevalajñāna getting rid of the clutches of Kaşaya and got liberated."
Of the same century i. e., 4th, a Prakrit text Paumacariyam also throws light on Bahubali's life as stated earlier. Unfortunately it is also available in brief. One important difference in it is the fact that there is no mention of Bharata as Bahubali's brother. The author narrates only that there lived in Taxila King Bahubali. He was an opponent of Bharata and never followed his orders. There is one more difference worthy of note in the Paumacariyam that one does not notice here any mention of the existence of Manakagaya in Bahubali after his undergoing
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