Perfection through meditation

INTRODUCTION

Bahubali was the son of Rishabhadeva; the first of the twenty-four Tirthankaras revered by the Jains. His elder brother Bharat was envious of him. He wanted the entire kingdom to himself, and so, decided to attack the lands Bahubali ruled. Fearing that the war would destroy both the kingdoms, the ministers of both sides began negotiations. After much thinking, it was decided that a personal contest between the two brothers would be a better option to war. The brothers were required to enter three traditional forms of martial contest: drisht yudha, jal yudha, and mal yudha.

Bahubali easily won the contest. Although he won, he became disgusted with the fact that he had to fight with his brother and he wanted to renounce the world, leaving everything to Bharata. He realized that anger; greed and pride could lead to such fraternal conflicts. He decided to take sanyasa and undertake penance.

Bahubali began meditating with great resolve to attain supreme knowledge stood in kayostsaga (standing) posture continuously for one year, without food and water. Anthills grew by the side of his legs and serpents made these anthills as their abode and were moving around. Creepers grew up entwining his legs and arms up to his shoulders but did not succeed in disturbing his equilibrium. The reason was simple – the ego that stopped him from visiting his father’s court did not allow him to attain this Keval Jnana. However, Bahubali was adamant. He continued worshipping unmindful of the fact that vines, ants, and dust were enveloping his body. His sisters, Brhami and Sundari, realizing his folly, approached him and asked him to shed his pride and ego. As Bahubali realized his mistake, Truth and enlightenment dawned upon him. Blessed with the knowledge of Truth, Bahubali went to see his father where he was welcomed. Bahubali now began teaching and showing people the right path.

Source: Website: www.shravanabelagola.com. Reprinted with permission.

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