Yugo Yugo Me Bahubal - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Yugo Yugo me Bahubal" by Vidyavati Jain, based on the provided PDF content:

Book Title: Yugo Yugo me Bahubal (Across the Ages, Bahubali) Author: Dr. (Mrs.) Vidyavati Jain Publisher: Z_Deshbhushanji_Maharaj_Abhinandan_Granth_012045.pdf

This book, "Yugo Yugo me Bahubal," is a comprehensive historical survey, narrative development, and review of the character of Bahubali, a beloved hero in ancient Indian literature. Bahubali's story has been depicted in various styles and languages including Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu across different eras.

Core Narrative of Bahubali:

According to the available biographies, Bahubali was the second son of the first Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva. He later became known as the king of Podanapur, with his capital at Taxila. The central conflict in his story arises when his half-brother, Chakravarti Bharat, returns from his conquests. Bharat's divine Chakra-ratna (wheel-jewel) gets stuck outside Ayodhya, and his prime minister reveals the reason: Bharat's conquests are incomplete as Bahubali has not yet accepted his supremacy.

Enraged, Bharat challenges Bahubali. Bahubali, described as handsome, strong, skilled, and proud, accepts the challenge. To avoid unnecessary bloodshed, he proposes a series of duels: a "vision battle" (drishti yuddha), a water battle (jal yuddha), and a wrestling match (mallayuddha). Bharat agrees, and after being defeated in these duels, he angrily unleashes his Chakra-ratna upon Bahubali. However, the Chakra-ratna, by its nature, does not harm anyone from the progenitor's lineage and returns.

This act of indecency and unethical behavior by Bharat fills Bahubali with disgust. He renounces worldly attachments, takes initiation, and begins severe penance. In some accounts, he meditates so intensely that ant hills form around his feet, covering them. Despite this, he doesn't achieve liberation. His sisters, Brahmi and Sundari, then help him realize that the remaining obstacle is internal ego. After eradicating this ego, he attains Kevala Jnana (omniscience). At the time of Bahubali's renunciation, Bharat grants the kingdom of Taxila to Bahubali's son. Bahubali's physical height is described as 500 dhanush (a unit of measurement), and his lifespan as 84 lakh purva years.

Literary Evolution and Key Texts:

The book meticulously traces the development of Bahubali's narrative through various Jain literary traditions and highlights key works and authors:

Acharaya Kundakunda: Considered the earliest Acharya and poet in the Digambara Jain tradition, Kundakunda is credited with pioneering philosophical, ethical, and spiritual literature. In his Bhavapahud, he makes the earliest known reference to Bahubali, calling him "man-kashay se kalushit" (tainted by pride and anger) and questioning how long he remained in atapan yoga (a form of penance). This brief mention is seen as the foundational inspiration for later Bahubali narratives.
Acharaya Vimalasuri's Paumachariyam: This Prakrit text, considered the first Jain Ramayana, includes a twenty-verse section detailing the Bharat-Bahubali conflict. It portrays Bahubali as Bharat's opponent who refused to obey him. Vimalasuri's account also includes the vision and wrestling battles, Bharat's defeat, the Chakra-ratna attack, and Bahubali's subsequent dispassion and decision to undertake penance.
Tiloypannatti by Yati Vrishabha: This text mentions Bahubali as one of the 24 Kamadevas, known for their unparalleled beauty and character, who appear during the time of each Tirthankara.
Vasudevahindi by Sanghadāsagani: This work narrates Bahubali's story, emphasizing Bharat's demand for submission and Bahubali's proud refusal. The dialogue between them highlights Bahubali's introspection on the futility of worldly possessions and his decision to renounce.
Upadeshamala by Dharmadasagani: Similar to Vasudevahindi, but with more elaborate descriptions, this work reiterates the core narrative.
Padmapurana by Mahakavi Raviṣeṇa: Raviṣeṇa's Sanskrit epic, based on Paumachariyam, portrays Bahubali as Bharat's arrogant half-brother. He describes the duels and Bharat's illegitimate use of the Chakra-ratna, which leads to Bahubali's renunciation.
Adipurana by Acharaya Jinasena: This seminal work provides a detailed, poetic, and extensive account of Bahubali's life, from his birth to his attainment of Kevala Jnana. Jinasena's portrayal of the Bharat-Bahubali conflict, the duels, and Bahubali's dispassion is considered the most comprehensive of its time.
Mahapurana by Mahakavi Puṣpadanta: Written in Apabhramsha, Puṣpadanta's narrative is noted for its vivid and touching style. His depiction of the dialogues and the emotional states during the conflict elevates his work.
Bharateshvara Bahubali Ras by Shalibhadra Suri: This 13th-century work is significant for being an early and extensive Ras (a genre of narrative poetry) literature in the old Hindi language. It portrays the conflict, Bahubali's renunciation, and uses a mix of languages, showcasing linguistic development.
Padmananda Mahakavya by Amarchandra: This Sanskrit epic offers a poetic depiction of Bahubali's life, drawing from earlier texts.
Shatrunjaya Mahatmya by Dhaneśvarasuri: This work also briefly touches upon the Bharat-Bahubali conflict and Bahubali's renunciation.
Bahubalideva Charitra by Dhanapal: This Apabhramsha epic is noteworthy for its extensive list of previously unknown early poets and their works mentioned in its preface, providing invaluable information for Jain literary historians.
Bharateshva Vaibhava by Ratnakaravarni: This Kannada masterpiece is praised for its portrayal of Bahubali's strength, valor, and spiritual inclination. Notably, Ratnakaravarni offers a unique interpretation where Bharat sends the Chakra-ratna not for harm but for service, showcasing a nuanced perspective on Bharat's character.
Bahubali Chand by Kumudachandra: An early Hindi work, it presents the traditional narrative in a verse style.
Other notable works: The book also mentions works by various authors in Kannada, Sanskrit, and other languages, including Karkalad Gommateshvara Charite, Bharat Bahubali Mahakavyam by Punyakushlagani, Bharatbhujbali Charitra by Pamo, and Rajavalikatha by Devachandra, further illustrating the extensive literary engagement with Bahubali's story.

Thematic and Stylistic Development:

The author highlights how Bahubali's narrative evolved over time:

Initially, the focus was purely spiritual (Kundakunda).
Later, the story gained narrative richness with the introduction of the conflict with Bharat, including duels to avoid mass destruction (Vimalasuri).
The portrayal of Bharat's illegitimate use of the Chakra-ratna was added to emphasize Bahubali's virtues and dispassion.
The duration of the Bharat-Bahubali war varied across texts, from an unspecified period to 13 days or even 12 years.
The 13th century saw the emergence of independent works in vernacular languages, adapting the story for a wider audience.
While most poets depicted Bharat as flawed to elevate Bahubali, Ratnakaravarni's interpretation offers a more balanced portrayal of Bharat.

Modern Research and Unexplored Literature:

The book also acknowledges modern scholarly research on Bahubali, including studies on the history, art, culture, and inscriptions related to Shravanabelagola and the Gommateshwara statue. The author laments the lack of comprehensive critical analyses and high-level research on Bahubali's extensive literary corpus, suggesting that much of this valuable literature remains neglected and unappreciated.

In essence, "Yugo Yugo me Bahubal" provides a scholarly and detailed exploration of how the legendary figure of Bahubali has been represented and transformed through centuries of Jain literature, showcasing the rich literary heritage and the evolving interpretations of his life and ideals.