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THE JAINA GAZETTE
[I have the honour to be, etc., (Sd.) J. E. Parkinson, Assistant Director for Director of Public Instruction, Punjab].
No. 5257-B, copy forwarded to the President, Shri Atmanand Jain Sabha, Ambala. for information, with reference to his letter, dated the 10th March, 1925.
[(Sd.) J. E. Parkinson, Assistant Director].
STORY OF SRI BAHUBALI.
IN
the beginning of Krita Yuga, there lived in Ayodhya, Sri Rishaba Deva, the first Tirthankara of the Jains. He had two wives, Yasashvati and Sunanda, by whom He had hundred sons. Of the children, Bharata, the eldest son born to Yasashvati and Bahubali, born to Sunanda, were famous.
After having ruled the country for a long time and after having taught all branches of the householder's life (Grahasta Dharma), Bhagvan Sri Rishaba Deva wanted to teach mankind the way to Salvation. So He divided His vast Kingdom among His sons, renounced all attachment to the world, performed hard tapas and attained Omniscience, (Kevala Jnana).
not enter the armoury.
On the day when the Lord attained omniscience, Bharata who was now a King, had, as the result of his past punya, the rare gift of a Chakra (disc) a divine weapon, sent to him. With the help of this wonderful weapon going forth before his huge army. Bharata conquered almost all the countries in the six continents. became a Chakravarti, an Emperor. The triumphant Emperor returned to his capital. But the Chakra, the divine discuss, would Bharata asked his prohita to find out the He replied, "Sire, the Kingdoms of your brothers are not yet subdued and hence the Chakra is staying out. It will enter the armoury only after you make your brothers your subjects." Whereupon Bharata sent messengers to his brothers except Bahubali asking them to recognise his supremacy and send him tokens of their submission. But they were sons of the same father. They said, "Our Kingdoms were given to us by our father. If He asks us to submit to Bharata we shall gladly do so" So saying they Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
cause.
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