The ‘Bahubali’ of a thousand years ago

Almost 1200 years ago, in the 9th century, a Digambara monk named Jinsen composed an extraordinary epic. His work, known as the Adi Purana, was based on the life of the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, and the stories of his two sons, Bharat and Bahubali. This was not an ordinary tale; it was a remarkable saga of conquering pride and attaining spiritual liberation. In it, we witness the journey of a warrior who becomes a supreme sage.

On the other hand, just a decade ago, in 2015, filmmaker SS Rajamouli released “Baahubali: The Beginning”. This epic action drama opened a new chapter in the history of Indian cinema. Though it bore the name of an ancient story, its plot was different. It told the tale of two princes fighting for a throne, a brutal narrative of blood, betrayal and greed for power. From these two Bahubalis we do not just get stories from different times, but also reflections of two contrasting aspects of human character.

Bahubali of a thousand years ago: Victory of a sage
The ancient story of India begins with Rishabhanatha. He was a great king who voluntarily renounced his power and embraced the life of an ascetic. He divided his vast kingdom between his two sons — the elder Bharat and the younger Bahubali. But Bharat, who wanted to become emperor of the world, began conquering one kingdom after another. His lust for power grew so great that he even sought to seize his younger brother Bahubali’s realm.

Shravanabelagola - Bahubali (India south)

He sent envoys to Bahubali demanding submission. Though Bahubali respected his elder brother, he refused to bow down. Ministers from both sides tried to stop the war. They said, “You cannot kill each other with weapons. So, the battle must be fought another way.” It was agreed that three contests would decide the outcome: a staring duel, a water fight, and a wrestling match. In all three fierce trials, Bahubali defeated Bharat.

Bahubali was indeed victorious, but his mind found no peace. A deep remorse grew in his heart towards his elder brother. He thought, what was the use of such a great victory for fleeting power? Victory only fuels pride. Bahubali realised that even behind his triumph lay a subtle arrogance. At once, he decided this earthly power was not what he desired. He returned his kingdom to Bharat and became a Digambara monk.

The story then grew deeper. Bahubali retreated to a solitary place and immersed himself in meditation. He vowed not to leave until he attained kevala jnana (omniscience). Standing in the kayotsarga posture like a stone idol, he remained motionless. Days, months, years passed. Creepers wrapped around his legs, insects nested on his body, yet his meditation was unbroken. A year later, his two sisters told their father Rishabhanatha about Bahubali. Rishabhanatha said, “Though Bahubali stands close to enlightenment, he cannot achieve it because he has not renounced his elephant (ego).”

Hearing this, Bahubali was startled. He wondered, “Am I truly standing upon an elephant?” The very moment he asked this question, his eyes opened. He realised he was not standing on any elephant but upon his pride and arrogance. At once he renounced this invisible ego. The moment he stepped forward, he attained kevala jnana. Ego-free, Bahubali went to his father and began guiding mankind on the righteous path. He became a revered figure in Jainism.

His story of renunciation and restraint remains eternal in history. To this day, in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, stands a colossal 57-foot monolithic statue dedicated to Bahubali. It is one of the largest free-standing statues in the world. Built in 983 AD, the statue, also known as Gomateshwara, ranks first among India’s Seven Wonders. There are several other towering statues of Bahubali. They are not mere idols, but glowing symbols of his renunciation, his triumph over pride, and his spiritual liberation.

The statues
Karnataka has five monolithic statues of Bahubali, each more than 20 feet high:
57-foot statue, Shravanabelagola, Hassan district; built in 981 AD.
42-foot statue, Karkala, Udupi district; built in 1430 AD.
39-foot statue, Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada district; built in 1973.
35-foot statue, Venur, Dakshina Kannada district; built in 1804.
20-foot statue, Gommatagiri, Mysore district; built in the 12th century.
In Maharashtra, a 28-foot standing statue of Bahubali is found at Kumbhoj in Kolhapur district.

Bahubali in film: A struggle for the throne
The story of Rajamouli’s Baahubali is different. It is not one of spiritual liberation or renunciation of pride, but a complex tale of lust for power and revenge. Here, the two main characters are Amarendra Baahubali and Bhallaladeva, heirs to the throne of Mahishmati. Their rivalry began from birth, because though Bhallaladeva’s father was denied the throne, he always wished his son to be king.

Queen Mother Sivagami, though Bhallaladeva’s mother, loved Amarendra like her own son. She declared Amarendra king on merit, for he showed greater skill in quelling rebellion and greater valour. Bhallaladeva was enraged, but the people unanimously accepted her decision.

The film’s main story begins with the child of Amarendra Baahubali. Sivagami fled with the newborn but was swept away by a river, leaving the baby in the care of a tribal village. The child grew into a mighty warrior, unaware of his true identity. Despite his foster mother’s many warnings, he climbed to the top of a waterfall and went on to rescue the captive Devasena. This was how he entered Mahishmati.

Here begins a grim struggle for power. Bhallaladeva commits many cruelties to safeguard his throne and keeps Devasena imprisoned. The most striking twist comes when the son asks about his father’s fate and the loyal soldier Kattappa reveals he himself had killed Amarendra. This mystery became the basis of the sequel, “Baahubali: The Conclusion”.

The Mahabharata is one of the most prominent ancient Indian texts that refers to Mahishmati. Source: Wikipedia

Similarities and differences between the two Bahubalis
There are several similarities between the Bahubali of a thousand years ago and the Bahubali of today’s cinema, despite their stories being very different.

Name and central character: Both tales revolve around a central figure named Bahubali, which links the stories under one title.

Brotherly rivalry: In both stories, the central conflict is a struggle between brothers over a kingdom or throne. In the ancient tale it was Bharat and Bahubali; in the film, Amarendra Baahubali and Bhallaladeva. This quest for power drives both stories.

Immense strength and valour: Both Bahubalis are shown to possess extraordinary strength and courage. In the ancient story, Bahubali defeats his elder brother in three gruelling contests. In the film, Amarendra is portrayed as an unmatched warrior.

Influential female figures: Both stories feature powerful women shaping the destiny of Bahubali. In the ancient tale, Bahubali’s sisters Brahmi and Sundari and his father Rishabhanatha guided him towards enlightenment. In the film, Queen Mother Sivagami decides the fate of Mahishmati and deeply influences Amarendra’s life and choices.

Renunciation and sacrifice: The ancient Bahubali renounced worldly power for spiritual liberation. The cinematic Amarendra Bahubali sacrificed his life for justice and the well-being of his people. Both embody the theme of great personal sacrifice.

The chief difference lies in their goals and purposes. Jinsen’s Bahubali was a seeker who abandoned power to pursue spiritual freedom. His struggle was not against an external enemy, but against his inner ego. Though victorious, he felt defeated within and set out on a path of asceticism, his sole aim being omniscience.

By contrast, the Bahubali of film is a warrior. His life revolves around throne, justice and revenge. Both Amarendra and his son fought for the honour of the kingdom and the happiness of its people. Their battles were against external foes — despotic rulers like Bhallaladeva. Their main goal was to restore peace and establish justice.

Jinsen’s Bahubali teaches us that true strength lies not in physical might, but in spiritual discipline and renunciation. It is a spiritual lesson that inspires us to rise above worldly desires. Rajamouli’s Bahubali, on the other hand, is an action-packed drama that shows how lust for power blinds people, and how an ordinary man discovers his identity and restores justice.

Two stories with the same name, yet both relevant to their times. One teaches us to fight the darkness within, the other inspires us to stand against injustice in the world outside.

Chandan Chowdhury: Poet and translator