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The Colossal Statue of Gommages vara and its Significance admit defeat at the hands of Bahubali, as his own vanity or pride resulted in his fall. As a result thereof, Bahubali could have easily assumed the position of an earthly emperor, if he was so minded. But he showed greater heroism in renouncing even his own kingdom in favour of his empire-thirsty brother and took to asceticism and penance to attain the highest goal of life i.e., Spiritual Liberation. His meditation was so deep, that creepers had entwined both his legs and hands up to his neck, as His statue shows ant-hills had appeared in the vicinity. As the legend goes, due to his human egoity that he was standing for his penance on his brother Bharata's land his Final Spiritual Emancination was held up, till Bharata came and touched his holy feet by worshipping him and admitting that the land was not his, and that he should give up his egoity.
Historical Background of Bahubali Statue at Sravanabelgola :
Of all the Jain sages and saints, prophets and philosophers, Bahubali has somehow caught the popular fancy of the Jain community. His lovely figure and sweet smiling face have established his unparalleled popularity, as a real spiritual hero and as such every Jain householder has his photo hung up for invoking his blessings. As a sign of his popularity, two counterparts of his Belgoļa statue came to be installed in Southern India long ago- one at Karkal in 1432 A. D. measuring 43 feet in height and the other at Venur in 1604 A. D. measuring 35 feet in height. Both these high statues were chiselled and shaped outside and transplanted to their respective places of installation. In Northern India also similar statues of lesser height but of fine beauty in marble have been installed and consecreted at different places of pilgrimage. In many of the Jain temples and shrines all over India the handsome statue with a smiling face has become a common sight.
In 1963 at the holy hillock known as Bahubali hillock in Kolhapur District in Maharashtra State, a place of pilgrimage, a handsome white marble statue of Bahubali measuring 28 feet in height came to be installed and consecreted at the base of the hillock in a prominent place, as per the desire of late Shri Shantisagar Jain Muni, with the unstinted blessings and inspiration coupled with religious zeal of the living Jain saint scholar Gurudev Ācārya Samantabhadra, who has virtually turned the hillock into a popular place of residential education for poor students and spiritual knowledge for saints and sages. This statue has immensely added to the grace and glory of the ancient place of pilgrimage silently inviting and blessing every visitor with its sweet smile. Of late a beautiful huge statue of Bāhubali is kept ready for consecretion at Dharmasthaļa, an ancient place of pilgrimage of both Jainas and Hindus. All these statues, old and new, in perfect harmony individually and collectively speak to the age long glory and popularity of Lord Bahubali.
Consecretion hile. Ofia. pilgrimas
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