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PRABUDDH JEEVAN
JUNE 2017
profuse variety changes innovations and of Parsvanatha, differently dated by scholars from 2nd embellishments (barring Jina images) has never been century BC to 1st century AD are in the collections of monotonous also. The Indus Valley civilization (c. 2300- the Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai and Patna 1750 BC) is the earliest civilization of India. The figures Museum. These figures provided respectively with the on some of the seals from Mohen-Jo-Daro and also a five- and seven-hooded snake canopy are rendered male torso from Harappa remind of the Jina images on as sky-clad and standing in the kayotsarga-mudra. account of their nudity and posture, similar to 1st century BC, bearing the figure of Parsvanatha, kayotsarga-mudra, which is exhibited more seated in dhyana-mudra in the centre, is in the emphatically in Lohanipur torso. But nothing can be collection of the State Museum, Lucknow (J. 253). The said with certainty until the Indus Valley script is rendering of the Jinas in dhyana-mudra (seated crossdeciphered finally. The earliest-known Jina image, legged) and the representation of srivatsa in the centre preserved in the Patna Museum, comes from of their chest appear for the first time in the SungaLohanipur (Patna, Bihar) and is datable to c. third Kusana sculptures of Mathura. [To Be Continued ] century BC. The nudity and the kayotsarga-mudra, 76-C, Mangal Flat No. 15, 3rd Floor, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai suggesting rigorous austerity of the image were Road, Matunga, Mumbai-400019. Mo: 96193/79589 confined only to the Jinas. The two early bronze images 798191 79589. Email : kaminigogri@gmail.com
THE STORY OF Bahubali - The son of Rishabhadeva By Dr. Renuka Porwal
Bahubali and Bharat were the sons of first Tirthankar Rishabhdeva. Bahubali was tall, well built with very strong arms hence he was called Bahubali. Among the hundred brothers, Bharat was the eldest.
Before renouncing the world, Rishabhdeva distributed his vast kingdom between his sons. Bharat received the state of Vinita (Ayodhya) and Bahubali received the Takshashila kingdom (Podanpur). The divine Chakraratna developed in Bharat's Ayudh-shala, inspiring him to become a Chakravarti King. This Chakraratna, when used, never missed its target. His 98 brothers and other kings recognised him as their king except for Bahubali.
King Bahubali was strong enough to proclaim war against his elder brother Bharat. He had a special army for the protection of Takshashila so he rejected Bharat's sovereignty. Both brothers brought their huge army face to face on the battlefield. Ministers requested them to avoid violence and death of innocent animals and men during the war. So the two brothers wrestled without any weapons.
All attempts to defeat Bahubali failed. At last to win, Bharat ignored all the rules of war and used the mighty wheel against Bahubali. The characteristic of Chakra was that it wouldn't harm any of the blood relatives, so it returned without harming him. Bahubali was very furious with Bharat as he had violated the rules, so he raised his hand to smash him with his fist.
All of a sudden, he thought; what I will get by killing my brother for just a piece of land which too was given by our father? He shivered thinking of his blow could have turned fatal. Finally he changed his mind and instead pulled out his hair with the raised hand, as a sign of renouncing the world. Immediately he left the place and went on a hill for meditation.
Bahubali chose the path of Rishabhadeva but his pride became an obstacle in getting enlightenment. Many years passed, creepers grew on his feet and arms but he couldn't get Kevaljnan. His two sisters requested him, "You need to come down from the elephant as you will not get the ultimate knowledge with so much pride in your soul. Bahubali realised the significance of his sisters' words and decided to bow down to Bharat. As soon as he stepped forward, he received the Kevaljnan.
In memory of the mighty king Bahubali, a colossal 57 feet, monolithic image was established by Gommat - Vir Martand Chamundrai, 1000 years ago at Sravan-bel-gola in Karnataka. It was carved from a hill and is now considered world's heritage. Many wall paintings and murals in Jaina shrines and caves also have the depiction of Bahubali performing meditation.
