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STORY OF SRI BAHUBALI
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went to Kailas where their venerable father Bhagvan Rishabadeva was preaching and reported to Him the matter. The Lord told them in reply that all material wealth, glory, power, and happiness of this world were transient and that they should seek to inherit the Kingdom of eternal Bliss, and Power, by treading the Path of Salvation which He was teaching to mankind. On hearing this they renounced all material attachment and became ascetics. Bharata wondered at this.
Now the Emperor sent a messenger to Bahubali. Bahubali was a true brother of Bharata. He said, " If Bharata wants to become my overlord let him do so after conquering me in war." This reply provoked anger in Bharata, who now marched with his army towards Paudanapura (Taxila) the capital city of Bahubali's Kingdom. Bahubali also was ready, prepared to meet his brother on the field. Both the hosts assembled on either side and were ready to fall upon their enemies. But the ministers of both the brothers conferred among themselves, came to them and prayed, "O, Lords ! One of you will become victorious after thousands of men die on either side. It is not dharma to expose thousands to death for the sake of the glory of an individual. Therefore we would request you to enter into a dual and decide by your own strength, as to which of you is entitled to victory." This suggestion was gladly approved by the brothers and they went through three kinds of feat Drtshti-yuddha, gazing at each other's face without winking, Jalayuddha, striking at each other's face with water, and Malla-yuddha. wrestling. In all these feats Bharata was defeated. Each time Bahubali won, his hosts applauded. But there came a change in the mind of Bahubali. Though he was victorious, he felt that his victory was after all to retain his material wealth and power only. He thought that he should fight the enemies of his soul and gain unlimited bliss and power. So he renounced his kingdom on the battle field and became a Muni. For a year he was standing still deeply immersed in contemplation of his own self. Ant-hills rose up around him and creepers and snakes entwined around his legs and arms. But he did not move a little. At the end of a year he
attained omniscience. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
