Bharat Chakravarti Diwakar Chitrakatha 035

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bharat Chakravarti Diwakar Chitrakatha 035" in English:

This comic book, part of the "Diwakar Chitra Katha" series by Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai, tells the inspiring story of Bharat Chakravarti, the eldest son of the first Tirthankar, Bhagavan Rishabh Dev. Bharat was the first Chakravarti (universal emperor) of the current Avasarpini (regressive cycle of time).

The narrative begins by introducing Bharat as a spiritually conscious ruler, even while possessing a vast empire. It highlights his journey from worldly pleasures to abstention, from violence to Ahimsa (non-violence), and from the euphoria of sovereignty to self-discipline. The text contrasts the Jain tradition's view of Bharat as a saintly king who attained omniscience in his glass palace after his imperial reign with the Vedic depiction of him as an accomplished yogi and devotee. It also notes that the Indian subcontinent is named "Bharat-kshetra" or "Bharat-varsh" after him.

The story unfolds with the birth of Bharat. His mother, Queen Sumangala, saw auspicious dreams indicating the birth of either a Tirthankar or a Chakravarti, and Rishabh Dev correctly identified Bharat as the future Chakravarti. Bharat's twin sister was named Brahmi, and his younger brother was named Bahubali, known for his strong arms. The text recounts an incident from their childhood where a dispute over a ball led to a duel between Bharat and Bahubali, with Bahubali ultimately defeating Bharat and all his 98 brothers, showcasing his immense strength and respect for his elder brother.

Rishabh Dev then imparts knowledge and wisdom to his children. Bharat is trained in 72 arts, while Bahubali learns biology and augury. Brahmi is taught scripts, and Sundari (another daughter) learns mathematics. During a spring festival, Rishabh Dev observes the public's happiness and reflects on the nature of bliss, concluding that divine pleasure and ascetic life are superior. He decides to embrace asceticism and hands over the kingdom to Bharat, giving states to his other sons, including Bahubali. Rishabh Dev formally accepts Shraman-diksha (Jain ascetic initiation).

News arrives that Bhagavan Rishabh Dev has attained Kewal-jnana (omniscience). Bharat and his grandmother, Maru Devi, go to witness the Samavasaran (religious assembly) of Rishabh Dev. Maru Devi experiences divine vision, sheds karmas, and attains liberation, becoming the first Siddha of the Avasarpini. Bharat, inspired, also decides to initiate into ascetic life after his son Rishabh Sen and other princes and princesses, including Brahmi, do so.

Bharat then takes possession of the Chakra-ratna (divine disc-weapon), a symbol of his imperial authority. He embarks on a mission to conquer the six continents. Upon completion, he visits a place where past Chakravartis etched their names on a boulder. Seeing the long list and the difficulty in finding space for his own name, Bharat's pride in his conquest is shattered, realizing the vastness of history and the cyclical nature of power. He concludes his mission with a three-day fast.

Upon returning to Ayodhya, Bharat awaits coronation but is informed by his commander that his 98 younger brothers did not attend the victory celebrations. Offended and questioning their pride, Bharat sends a message demanding their attendance. The brothers, content with their own kingdoms, deliberate and decide to seek counsel from their father, Rishabh Dev. Their father advises them that attachment, aversion, passions, and fondness are their true enemies, and conquering them leads to fearlessness. The brothers then decide to renounce their kingdoms and accept ascetic discipline to avoid war.

The narrative then shifts to the unresolved issue of Bahubali, who has not accepted Bharat's sovereignty. Bharat's commander reports that the Chakra-ratna has not entered the city, indicating an unmet condition for complete sovereignty. Bharat is torn between his duty as an emperor to punish disobedience and his familial obligations. His commander advises that his kingly duty takes precedence. Bharat sends an emissary, Suveg, to Bahubali to persuade him to obey. Bahubali expresses his lack of desire for war but refuses to be intimidated, stating he cannot be cowed by threats.

Bharat, distressed by Bahubali's defiance and the immobility of the Chakra-ratna, eventually orders a battle. Bahubali also mobilizes his army. Gods witness the impending war between the sons of Rishabh Dev and request Indra, the king of gods, to intervene. Indra urges the brothers to desist. To avoid a catastrophic war, they agree to a contest of individual strength involving five stages: staring contest, voice contest, wrestling, fist-fight, and mace-duel.

In the contests, Bahubali wins the staring and voice contests. In wrestling, Bahubali defeats Bharat, catching him like a ball when he is thrown. During the fist-fight, Bharat hits Bahubali, and later Bahubali's forceful blow renders Bharat unconscious. When Bharat retaliates with his mace, Bahubali is thrust into the ground. Bharat, enraged, uses the Chakra-ratna, but it returns to his finger as kinfolk are immune to it.

Bahubali, remorseful for his actions, opens his fist, pulls out his hair, and renounces the world, accepting ascetic garb and meditating. This act of detachment and humility melts Bharat's pride, and he pays homage to Bahubali, seeking his forgiveness for the pain inflicted due to his imperial pride.

Bharat returns to Ayodhya and, upon seeing his 98 brothers as ascetics, feels remorse. He offers to return their kingdoms, but they decline, having renounced them out of detachment. Bharat then attempts to serve them by offering food, but the ascetics do not accept it intentionally prepared for them. Indra advises Bharat to distribute the food to wise and accomplished people, which Bharat does by inviting detached householders.

The story then moves to Prabhu Adishvar's (Rishabh Dev's) arrival at Shatrunjaya mountain with millions of ascetics. Adishvar leaves, and his first Ganadhar, Pundareek Swami, attains omniscience and liberation along with the ten million ascetics. Bharat, upon hearing this news, declares Shatrunjaya a holy pilgrimage center and commissions the construction of a grand temple there, enshrining idols of Rishabh Dev and Pundareek Swami.

Later, Bharat receives news that Bhagavan Rishabh Dev has taken the ultimate vow at Ashtapad mountain. Bharat rushes bare-footed to Ashtapad with a multitude of followers. He pays homage to his father, who attains liberation. The gods and humans, including Bharat, mourn his departure. Bharat erects a grand temple at the site of his father's liberation.

Finally, Bharat, after performing his royal duties, looks at his reflection in a hall of mirrors. He notices his fingers without ornaments appear dull and realizes that the body's grandeur is due to external embellishments. He discards all his ornaments and contemplates the ephemeral nature of the body and the illusion of beauty. Shifting his focus inward, he understands that his true self is beyond these external appearances and is endowed with right knowledge, perception, and bliss. The throne of Saudharmendra (Indra) trembles as he witnesses Bharat meditating as a Kewali (omniscient).

Indra and other gods approach Bharat, requesting him to formally accept the ascetic garb. Bharat pulls out five fistfuls of his hair, wears the ascetic attire provided by the gods, and proceeds to the garden as Bharat Kewali, celebrating his attainment of omniscience. After a long itinerant life, Bharat Kewali climbs Ashtapad mountain, takes the ultimate vow, fasts, sheds all karmas, and attains liberation.

The conclusion of the book summarizes the inspirations drawn from Bharat Chakravarti's life: the balance between ruling and compassion, the hatred of war despite being forced to fight, the possibility of attaining purity of soul through detachment, and the worship of sacrifice and detachment.