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Vimala-Vasahi ]
aroused in Bāhubali's mind, disgust against this world and he realised the evanescence of life and worldly power. On the very field of battle he plucked off his hair, turned a Jaina monk and started meditating. Motionless he stood, unruffled by any obstacles, regardless of heat, cold or rains, loosing all outward consciousness, meditating on the real self. Ant-hills grew around him and creepers were winding over his limbs, on which hung and played deadly reptiles—such were the unsurpassable rigorous austerities of Bāhubali. A year rolled by, but in spite of the deep meditation and great suffering, Kevala-jñāna (the Supreme knowledge ) did not dawn upon the Great Sage. Then, the two sisters (now Jaina nuns ), Brāhmi and Sundarī, approached and said, ' Dear Brother! Please get down from the top of the elephant you are riding on.' The suggestion was grasped by Bahubali who could realise that the elephant was his own subtle egoism which obstructed his attainment of final knowledge and bliss. It was the pride of his own strength and position, leaving which, Bāhubali decided to go and pay his respects to the brother monks and Bharata, but lo! as soon as he raised his foot to walk thither, the light dawned upon him and he obtained Kevalajñāna. The mind was purged of its pride and egoism uprooted. Bāhubali then went into the congregation of the Lord Rşhabhanātha and spent the rest of his existence in company of the Jina.
Bharata ruled as a Cakravarti for a number of years. One day, during toilet, his ring fell down and the finger lost some of its charm. Removing all other ornaments, he looked into a mirror and saw that much of the charm and glamour of the person was only external. He thought of the internal and real beauty of the mind which lay in the cultivation of pure thoughts and renunciation of worldly enjoyments. Meditating deeper, he attained Kevalajñāna. A Shāsana
