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Landmarks of Bahubali Images in Karnataka
Dr. Maruti Nandan Tiwari
Bahubali,' also known as Gommatesvara in the southern Jaina tradition, was the second son of Jina Rṣabhanatha, born of his junior queen Sunanda. His step brother Bharata, who became cakravarti succeeding his father, ruled from Vinītā [Saketa or Ayodhyā]; while Bahubali was ruling from Takṣaśilā (or Podanasa or Podanapura according to the Digambara Jaina tradition). Soon after the renunciation by Ṛṣabhanatha, Bharata began to subdue the various kingdoms and principalities (of Bharatavarṣa) and, according to the Law of the Discweapon (cakra), had the need even to subdue Bahubali and his other 98 brothers. Except Bahubali, all his brothers surrendered their domains and became recluse. A fierce duel took place between Bharata and Bahubali for trial of strength in which Bahubali emerged almost as victor. At the final moment of his triumph, the reality of the futility of worldly possessions dawned in Bahubali's mind and he consequently renounced the world for attaining omniscience and hence salvation from the cycle of existences. As an ascetic he performed very rigorous austerities by standing in the kāyotsarga posture for a whole year and attained kevalajñāna.
To suggest his rigorous tapas, Bahubali in visual representations is shown not only in the kayotsarga-mudrā but also with creepers entwining his limbs, and snakes, lizards, and scorpions either shown nearby or even creeping over his body.2 These representational characteristics suggest the long passage of time in which he was absorbed in tapas and deep trance. The posture of Bahubalī is symbolic of perfect self- control while his nudity implies total renunciation. The profound austerities of Bahubali inspired both the Svetambara and the Digambara Jainas to worship him, specifically the Digambaras. Bahubali, as a result, became a powerful symbol as well as a material *Professor, Deptt. History of Art, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
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