Path of Arhat

Author(s): T U Mehta
Publisher: Sohanlal Smarak Parshwanath Shodhpitha Varanasi

Page 36

Origins in Eternity
(11
throne. After Bharata became the ruler on retirement of Rşabha, Bahubali could not tolerate his suzerainty and so there was a duel between the two brothers. Bahubali was stronger. As he raised his iron fist to kill Bharata, he realized what he was up to. He atonce curbed his emotions and directed his fist to himself, annihilated his own ego, renounced the world and became a recluse. Bharata established a big empire, became a Cakravartin, and once, when he was dressing in his glass room he found that one of his fingers was looking odd for want of usual rings. This small incident started in his mind a chain of introspective thinking and he also relinquished his kingly power and became a recluse. Other 98 sons of Rsabha also became recluses.
Rşabhadeva himself had renounced the worldly affairs after rendering yeoman service to the society, undertook severe austeritics for twelve months, established 'Sangha' of monks, nuns and householders and taught them the first principles of Sramana traditions.
Such is the story of, perhaps, the first royal family of India - a beginning, ingrained with the idea that ultimate goal of human life is not to be sought in the material gains of the world but in their renunciation and the conquest of baser instincts of human existence.
Rşabha is as much venerable amongst the people wedded to Vedic traditions as amongst the people of śramanic traditions. He is the only Jaina Tirthankara, included among Hindu Avataras (Divine discent ). Srimadbhagavatl refers to him with great respect and reverence and mentions that our country was named 'Bharatavarşa' after his son Bharata, his successor, to the throne, who became a Cakravarti.
Rgveda, Yajurveda and Vişnu and Bhāgavata Purăņas refer to Rşabhadeva with high esteem. They describe him as Parama Guru (Great venerated Guru-Master ) TTTTTraa:' 1. Srimadbhagavat, Skaodha ( chapter ) V.