Jain Legend Vol 1

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

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Pulah rama. From the time V abhan tha bequeathed his kingdom to Bharata, this part of the snow-capped region became popular as Bh ratavar a.
r madbh gavata considers V abhan tha a half-reincarnation of Vi u. According to this text, in order to gain the love of N bhi, the Lord emerged from the womb of Marudev as an entity to reveal the
rama a dharma. From the time of his birth, V abhan tha's body had the insignia of thunderbolt, amku a, etc which is Vi u's sings. King N bhi called him V abhan tha (par excellence) on account of his beautiful body, exceeding brilliance, strength, wealth, valour and courage.
r madbh gavata considers Vabhan tha iva himself. There is reference to his marriage with Indra's daughter and a hundred sons born to her from him. Brahm varta Pur a mentions that he imparted the
dhy tma-j na (spiritual knowledge) to his sons and then became an avadh ta (lit. fearful in form) mendicant. The essence of his teachings in r madbh gavata are as follows – "ordinary people cannot understand
ecret of my avat ra- body. Pure substance is my body and dharma resides therein. I have left adharma (non-righteousness) way behind; hence good men call me V abhan tha. Sons! You serve all the elements with pure knowledge, considering them to be my body; this is true service to me.”
r madbh gavata also says - Vabhan tha placed Bharata on the throne to serve the earth. He became a renouncer to preach dharma. He only retained the body while leaving all the rest at home. Due to penance he had become emaciated and his arteries and veins began to show. In the end, placing a piece of stone in his mouth, in his naked state, he departed
ivapur a refers to iva taking incarnation as the di-t rthamkara V abhan tha.
Buddhist literature mentions that N bhi's son V abhan tha and V abhan tha's son Bharata are counted among the original emperors. He was strict in adherence to dharma.He attained salvation on the snowcapped Him laya Mountain. Dhammapada refers to V abhan tha as the most excellent hero. Besides din tha, V abhan tha is also known by many names such as Hira yagarbha, Praj pati, Loke a, Catur nana N bhija, Sra , Svayambh, etc. All these are names of Brahm in the
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