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Bahubali in Kannada Literature
87
In due course Bharata conquered all the six continents on the strength of his Cakra-ratna and returned to Ayodhyā. But his Cakra-ratha did not enter the city. On enquiry it was found that he had some enemies to conquer and those enemies were none but his brothers including Bahubali. Bharata sent servants with an order to surrender. His own brothers did not like the idea of Bharata and abandoning the kingdom they went to Ādinātha and accepted monkhood. But Bahubali did not like this idea of renunciation nor was he afraid of Bharata. He condemned the greed of Bharata for Kingdom and also the idea of asking his own brothers to be his subordinates. He told the messenger that the kingdom was given to him by his father. If Bharata wanted to snatch his kingdom let him do it in the battle-field. The description given by Pampa regarding Bahubali is noteworthy. On seeing Bahubali the messenger said, “Puruparamēshvara Putram Bharatēshvara Chakravartiganjaenal Sundara Rūpani Kumārane Dore Chakrigameseyadinitu Tējasphuritam". "Two important aspects to be noted in this verse are : Bharata's messenger says that Bahubali is a handsome person and in splendour he exceeds even Bharata. After hearing the message of Bahubali, Bharata says, "Antanibarumavarindaggalamene negalda Bahubalianenteragisuvem" meaning thereby that Bahubali who is the strongest among all of us how can I conquer him? This means Bharata was knowing the strength of Bahubali and was afraid in the heart of his heart about the valour of Bāhubali.
War was inevitable. But on the advice of their ministers both Bharata and Bāhubali agreed for “Driştiyuddha” (staring into each other's eyes), “Jalayuddha" (throwing water on each others face) and “Mallayuddha" (wrestling) to avoid violence and the unnecessary deaths of many innocent soldier. Very good description of these fights is given and in all the attempts Bharata was defeated. In ‘Mallayuddha' Bahubali took Bharata in his arms and he wanted to throw him on the ground, but at that moment Bahubali's good sense became alert and he thought, it would be improper to insult a great king like Bharata and also an elder brother who stands in the place of father. So, Bāhubali slowly placed Bharata on the ground. This is really the greatness of Bahubali. But Bharata being insulted, took Cakra-ratna and threw it on Bāhubali, but the weapon did not do any harm to Bahubali. Bharata's action hurt Bāhubali. He was annoyed at the greed of Bharata for kingdom which is perishable and temporary. He decided to renounce the kingdom. In this connection the poet says:
Kiduvodalakiduva Rajyada / Padematugofalkamenna Meyygidapudi // Gade Jainadiksheyam Kon/ Dodigeragisuvem samasta Surasamudayamuth 11
meaning hereby that the body as well as the kingdom are perishable. I will accept monkhood and will see that even the gods will bend down before me! Knowing
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