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Gommatesvara Commemoration Volume
his mistake, Bharata asked Bahubali not to leave the kingdom; but Bahubali was firm. He took initiation at the holy hands of Adinatha and stood like a mountain practising penance. But he did not attain Kevalajñāna. On enquiry, Adinatha told Bharata, "Bahubali is still contemplating about the ground on which his two feet are standing and he is sorry for having done so, because that ground belongs to you. Till he becomes free from this ego, he does not get Kevalajääna." On hearing this, Bharata went and worshipped the feet of Bahubali and told him that all the kingdom belonged to him and he should think in terms of his soul and. realisation. In this connection the humble prayer of Bharata is noteworthy. He says: 'This kingdom is given to me by you which is just like the remains of your food. Please do not entertain any other idea. Think of your own self and soul." Bahubali realised his mistake and let off that ill idea. At once he achieved Kēvalajñāna. After some years he attained Mokşa earlier than his father Adinatha.
In Adipurana, we see at first a heroic Bahubali fighting with his brother for his independance and self degnity. And then we see a wise man even on the battle field and at last we see a monk abandoning every thing and achieving self-realisation. A beautiful picture of Bahubali is given with a human touch and as such the reader will be all for Bähubali in Adipurana,
Now, we may see Bahubali as depicted by Ratnakaravargi. Ratnakaravarni lived in the latter part of the 16th century. He has written Bharatēśavaibhava. In this work the poet has taken full liberty to make suitable changes to make Bharata his (poet's) hero a master in every field. Bharata is superior in all aspects. He is both Bhogi and Yogi at one and the same time.
The story connected to Bahubali in Bharatēŝavaibhava is as follows; Bharata while returning from Digvijaya came near Paudanapur and wanted to go ahead. But the Cakra-ratna did not move at all. When asked, the minister said, 'Your brothers should come and surrender'. As in Adipurāṇa, letters were sent to the brothers. Bharata's own brothers renounced the kingdoms and accepted monkhood. A wise messenger was sent to Bahubali with the order of Bharata. He went to Paudanapur.
Here, Ratnakaravargi has taken liberty with the word Kāma (Cupid). Bahubali was the Kamadeva of his times. Taking this opportunity, Ratnakara has made Bahubali in the sense of Cupid-the husband of Rati. He has used words like Minänka, Smara, Manmatha, Puganeya, Pradyumna etc., for Bahubali and has described him to be a lustful man. When the messenger saw him, he was amidst a thousand women. His city Paudanpur was full of all sorts of activities connected with lust and all the people were indulging in only Kāma and they did not like those who were not like them. Only one verse may be quoted here:
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