{"id":5240,"date":"2026-08-14T12:23:47","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T06:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vardhmanvacations.com\/blog\/?p=5240"},"modified":"2026-08-14T13:03:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T07:33:26","slug":"bahubali-rishabh-jainism-story-beliefs-philosophy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vardhmanvacations.com\/blog\/bahubali-rishabh-jainism-story-beliefs-philosophy\/","title":{"rendered":"Bahubali, Rishabh and the Jain Path: A Journey Beyond Ego"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

According to Jain tradition, Rishabh, regarded as the first Tirthankar of the present era, played a central role in shaping early human civilization. He is said to have established sixty-four skills for women and seventy-two for men. His daughters, Sundari and Brahmi, became associated with mathematics and writing, while his hundred sons were entrusted with different kingdoms established by their father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Rishabh renounced his worldly responsibilities. Leaving behind his kingdom and family, he chose the life of a hermit in search of spiritual truth and liberation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Rishabh\u2019s departure, his eldest son Bharat aspired to become a Chakravarti\u2014the universal emperor. He expected his brothers to accept his authority, but they refused. Ninety-eight of them chose to surrender their kingdoms and follow their father into a life of renunciation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bahubali, however, chose a different path. He remained a king and refused to submit to Bharat. Their disagreement eventually led to a confrontation. To avoid a large-scale war and unnecessary loss of life, the brothers agreed to settle the matter through a series of contests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bahubali proved stronger and defeated Bharat in the contests. Yet, when he was finally expected to strike his elder brother, he could not bring himself to do it. With his hand already raised, he chose instead to pull out his own hair and renounce worldly life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This decision created another dilemma. His younger brothers had become monks before him, which meant that Bahubali, despite being their elder brother and a former king, was expected to bow before them according to the hierarchy of monastic life. His pride prevented him from doing so, leaving him caught between his former royal identity and his new spiritual life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His sisters eventually called out to him, urging him to \u201cget off your elephant.\u201d Bahubali understood that they were speaking metaphorically. The elephant represented his ego\u2014powerful, self-absorbed and capable of causing harm when uncontrolled. Bahubali realized that true victory did not mean defeating another person; it meant conquering oneself. In Jain philosophy, the person who conquers inner passions and ego becomes a Jina, a spiritual victor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This symbolism is also reflected in Indian temple art, where an elephant is sometimes shown being subdued by a lion, representing the triumph of spiritual strength over pride and attachment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rishabh had already discovered this spiritual path. He is described as a Tirthankar because he found a \u201cford,\u201d or tirtha, through which beings can cross from the world of material attachment and social hierarchy toward spiritual liberation. As the first Tirthankar of the present era, he is also known as Rishabh-dev and Adi-nath, meaning the first teacher or the teacher of teachers. Jain tradition holds that twenty-three other Tirthankars followed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Bahubali, the journey toward liberation was an inward one. Rather than searching for an external path, he remained still and turned his attention toward conquering his own mind and attachments. He stood in meditation for such a long period that creepers were said to grow around his legs. His unwavering determination became a symbol of the Shraman\u2014the spiritual seeker who undertakes strenuous effort to follow the path of the Jina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bharat\u2019s journey was different but ultimately led to a similar realization. Having gained control over a hundred kingdoms, he wanted to establish his greatness by carving his name on Mount Meru, the mythical centre of the universe. When he reached the mountain, however, he found countless names already engraved there. Many rulers before him had believed themselves to be the greatest conquerors, only to become part of history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experience made Bharat recognize the temporary nature of worldly power and the illusion created by social hierarchies. He humbled himself before his father and brothers and began honouring Rishabh and Bahubali. In Jain tradition, Bharat consequently became an early example of the Shravak\u2014the householder who respects the teachings of the Jina and helps preserve and share them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final Tirthankar of the present era was Mahavir, who lived approximately 2,500 years ago, around the period of Gautam Buddha. His teachings were transmitted orally for generations. Although many teachings were eventually recorded, the loss and interpretation of texts contributed to disagreements and the development of different Jain traditions and sects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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