Skip to content
AC
Browse articles

The Story of Bharata and Bahubali

By Dalsukh D. Malvania

Vol. 6 · No. 3-4October 1977 - January 1978pp. 1–11English

Summary

The article recounts the Jain legend of Bharata and Bahubali, sons of the first Tirthankara Rishabhanatha. Bharata becomes a universal monarch and conquers the world, while Bahubali refuses to submit to him. To avoid large-scale war, the brothers settle their conflict through contests of staring, water-fighting and wrestling; Bahubali wins but realizes the futility of violence and renounces the world. The article traces sources such as the Adipurana and Padmacarita, noting differences between Digambara and Svetambara versions and the symbolic meaning of Bahubali’s statue. It emphasizes Jain values of non‑violence, renunciation and self‑conquest.

AI-assisted summary, not yet checked. Consult the original PDF before citing.

Conclusion

The legend of Bharata and Bahubali illustrates Jainism’s stress on conquering the self rather than the world. Bahubali’s renunciation after realizing the futility of violence highlights the triumph of humility over pride. By situating the story within Jain scriptural sources, the article shows how mythic narratives convey ethical doctrines and inspire followers to pursue liberation.

Key passages

Chosen by AI from the article's text. Each one is checked word for word against the text before it is shown.

  • “Though Bahuball is not a Tirthankara he is not only worshiped but also gets an abhi$eka with grand celebrations just like Kumbha celebrations at Praysga, after each period of twelve years.”
  • “So is .Bahuball for the Jainas in establishing the fact that to conquer the physical world or the Cakravait I, the conqueror of the physical world, is not enough.”
  • “In this manner he was the pioneer to establish the theory of no-war in this world.”

Works cited in this article

  1. K. R. .Srinivasan, Aspectes of Jaina Art and Architecture, Ahmedabad, pp. 176-179
  2. Mottum kasayajujjbam samjamajujjena jujjhimo inhira/Parisahabha4ehi samayam java Jhio uttamatfhemmi // PC. 4-51
  3. Visesavasyakabhssya, Part II of Jinabhadra, L. D. Series, Ahtae-dabad, 1968
  4. SaAghadasa's Vasudevahindi, Bhavnagar, 1930
  5. V'snupurana, Glta Press, Gojrakhpur, V. S. 2024

Discussed in this article

Places

  • Praysga

Texts & works

AI guide

Discuss this record

Ask about the article, its topics, issue context, selected passages, or reading strategy.

Start with the record

I can unpack the summary, turn it into study questions, explain a selected passage, or compare it with the other articles in this issue.

Article order

In this issue

Vol. 6 · No. 3-4
1–11The Story of Bharata and BahubaliDalsukh D. MalvaniaCurrent article1कालिदासीयकाव्यप्रसङ्गे "निष्यन्द" शब्दस्य पत्वविचारVishwanath Bhattacharya1–5कवि मावा-मावजी रचित वैष्णव भक्तप्रबंधचोपाईAmritlal M. Bhojak6–12कवि नन्नस्तूरिकृत गजसुकुमाल चउढाळीयाVasantrai B. Dave12–31Jaina Conception of Space and TimeNagin J Shah32–46Jinesvarasuri’s GaharayanakosaV. M. Kulkarni47–61Principle of Permanence‑in‑change in Jaina PhilosophyJ. C. Sikdar62–73The Jain Answer to the Three QuestionsD. C. Mehta74–78An Exegetical Note on the Atharvavedic Phrase “Agatsya Panthah”Y. K. Wadhwani80–83A Critical Note on the Word KaginiP. M. Upadhye

Original PDF

Inline viewer

Checking source PDF

The viewer will load here if the archive file is reachable.

Same author

More by Dalsukh D. Malvania

All articles →
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

Well‑wishes

By Dalsukh D. Malvania

July - 1991
Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology

The Story of Bharata and Bahubali (Part 1)

By Dalsukh D. Malvania

April - 1981
Sambodhi

શૂન્યવાદ

By Dalsukh D. Malvania

1976
Sambodhi

Swadhyay

By Dalsukh D. Malvania, K. R. Chandra, J. C. Sikdar, Muni Nagraj

1976