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81. अर्हत श्री बाहुबलि
इस प्रकार तेईस तीर्थङ्करों के जीवन चरितों को सविवरण बताने के बाद श्री महावीर स्वामी ने श्री बाहुबलि के जीनव चरित्र का बयान करना शुरू किया। तीर्थङ्कर श्री ऋषभनाथ स्वामी की दूसरी पत्नी सुनन्दा का पुत्र बाहुबलि था जो तक्षशिला का राजा था। बाहुबलि का दूसरा नाम गोमटेश्वर है। वे इस नाम से भी प्रचलित है। श्री ऋषभनाथ स्वामी के निर्याण के बाद राज्य के बंटवारे के सम्बन्ध में वादविवाद उत्पन्न हुए थे। बाहुबलि को अपने बड़े भाई भरत से जो विनीता राज्य का राजा था, युद्ध करना पड़ा। दोनों के बीच में वैर भाव है। उन्होंने अपने अपने पक्ष की सेनाओं से अलग रहने के लिये कहा। उन्होंने परस्पर द्वन्द युद्ध में अपने बड़े भाई भरत को आसानी से हरा दिया। जीतने के बाद वह सोचने लगा कि राज्य की सम्पत्ति के लिये अपने भाई के साथ युद्ध करना पड़ा । द्वन्द युद्ध करके उनको हराना पड़ा । तुरन्त उनके मन में इस बात पर पछतावा हुआ। इसका प्रायश्चित करने के वास्ते उसने कायोत्सागर मुद्रा में उग्र तपस्या शुरू की । तप करते समय उनके शरीर के चारों तरफ बाँबियाँ (वल्मीक अर्थात दीमकों का बनाया हुआ मिट्टी का भीठा या बँवीठा) उठी थीं और काँटों की बेलों और लताएँ उघी थीं। अन्त में वे अपनी तपस्या में सफल हुए । उन्हें केवल ज्ञान प्राप्त हुआ तथा वे अर्हत हो गये। वे सब लोगों के लिये पूज्य और आदरणीय हो गये। इन गाथाओं को सुनकर श्री महावीर स्वामी के शिष्य बृन्द पुनीत हो अपने अपने आश्रमों की ओर चले गये।
81 ARHANTHA SHRI BAHUBALI
Having thus related the details of the lives of 23 Tirthankaras, Shri Mahavira Swamy began to narrate the life history of Shri Bahubali, who became an Arhantha but not a Tirthankara. Bahubali is the son of Sunanda the second wife of Shri Rishabhanathaswamy, the first Tirthankara. Bahubali ruled Takshasila. He was also known as Gomatheswara. After the Nirwana of Bahubali's father the divison of Kingdom became an issue and Bahubali had to fight it out with his elder brother Bharatha, the King of Vineetha. the two brothers, having considered that the rivalry is between themselves, asked the armies on both sides to stand aside and allow them to settle it in a duel. It so happend that Bahubali defeated his brother effortlessly. However, Bahubali was stricken with remorse that he had to fight with and defeat his own elder brother for the sake of Kingdom and Wealth. As result of this Shri Bahubali turned his mind inwards and began to reflect upon the state of things. As a result of this reflection Bahubali was determined to make amends for what he considered io be his past sins. He started performing a most rigorous penance in the posture of Kayotsagara and in course of time anthills rose upon his body and tangled creepers covered the body and place entirely and yet Bahubali was quite unmoveable and with an astounding steadfastness pursued his penance until it was crowned with Kevalajnana (Absolute Knowledge). He has thus become an Arhantha, having obtained this status, as a result of his devotion and his steadfastness, Shri Bahubali may be venerated by all mankind, for his attainments have been such. He is a model for us to copy. After listening to all the stories of the Arhanthas and Tirthankaras ending with the story of Arhantha Shri Bahubali, the disciples of Shri Mahavira Swamy felt fulfilled and hallowed and left for their cottages. Jain Educationa International For Personal and Private Use Only
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