Book Title: Jain Journal 1981 04
Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

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Page 30
________________ 144 JAIN JOURNAL son of the greatest man, like you were not true to his words then what to think of others. (jai tumam loguttamasuo hoūnam maijāyamatikkamasi pihujane kā ganaņā, p. 187.) He could visualise the greed of Bharata and also its result. On realising this he became a monk (p. 187). Instead of going to the assembly of Rsabha, he began his meditations there only because of his pride that how can he present himself before his younger brothers without obtaining omniscience, and because of this pride he could not become an omniscient. He stood like a pillar for a year in meditations and his whole body was surrounded by the creepers called Atimukta, just like a tree. At the same time Rsabha reached Taksasila. Brahmi asked Rsabha regarding Bahubali's not obtaining omniscience. Rsabha explained that he is mounted on a mountain called pride and that is the obstacle in his way. He thinks that how can he bow down to his younger brothers who have achieved their goal, their purpose (kayatthā). On hearing this Brahmi, went there and gave the message from Rsabha that he cannot have omniscience while riding an elephant. On hearing this he realized his fault and removed pride, and immediately became an omniscient (p. 187-8). The land was named Bharata after the name of Cakravarti Bharata (p. 186). Bharata, attracted by the divine beauty of finger of Indra, started Indramaha festival (p. 184). Bharata also was responsible for creating the cast of Brahmins out of Jaina laymen (p. 184). Further he was responsible for the Arya Vedas which were quite different from Anarya Vedas depending on the preachings of Sandilya (p. 193). The previous birth-stories of Rsabha and others are also found in VH, pp. 165 ff. III Jambudvipaprajnapti (JP) Jambūdvipaprajñapti, one of the Arigabāhya canoncial texts of the Jainas relates the stories of Rsabha and Bharata in its II and III chapters respectively. And this seems to be the earliest version because the relation of Rsabha and Bharata as father and son is nowhere mentioned. Though Brahmi and Sundari are mentioned as prominent nuns of Rsabha's Sangha, they are not mentioned as his daughters. Indeed, According to Jambudvipaprajnapti this is not the case. It is cearly mentioned that country of Bharavasa takes its name after the God of that name and even this name is permanent, p. 592. This clearly shows that author's mind is working towards mythicising. But VP (2.1.32) and BP (5.4.9) support VH. Ravisena (4.59) and Jinasena (15.159) also support VH. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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