This is the story of Baahubali of Gomateshwara. When you read his story you'll have an inkling of the storyline of Rajamouli's Baahubali. Rajamouli being the perfectionist he is might be adapting this story to present a magnum opus that will be appealing to all classes of people. Here's the story of Baahubali of Gomateshwara.
According to the Jain literature, Bharat and Bahubali were two of the sons of Bhagwaan Rishabh Dev, the first TEERTHANKAR of this epoch. When Bhagwaan Rishabh Dev renounced his kingdom, he gave a portion of it to each one of his sons. Bharat and Bahubali also received their shares.
A few years later, Bharat decided to become the supreme ruler of the world. He demanded that all other kings should accept his supremacy. All the kings, including his brothers except Bahubali conceded. However, Bahubali challenged Bharat. The armies of Bharat and Bahubali faced each other, ready to fight. The ministers of Bharat and Bahubali were worried about the bloodshed. Therefore, they counseled that the two brothers should engage in hand-to-hand combat to determine the winner. Bahubali and Bharat agreed.
The first round was a water-duel between Bharat and Bahubali. They stood in the knee-deep water of a river and sprayed each other with water. Bahubali won the round. The next round was a sight-duel. The two brothers stood in the sun, staring at each other. The one who blinked first was to lose the round. Again, Bharat lost. The final round was wrestling. A huge crowd had gathered. The supporters of each were cheering. In the course of the duel, Bahubali picked up Bharat. Carrying Bharat above his head, he whirled him in air as he paced the ring. Bahubali's supporters were very happy and excited. Bahubali was close to becoming the supreme ruler of the world. At that moment, he thought that he was about to hurt and humiliate his own brother for the sake of name and fame. He contemplated, "Such pride is false. What good is being a king or a supreme ruler of the world? Such desires are endless. Fulfillment of such desires cannot lead to peace of mind." He gently put Bharat down on his feet. He renounced his kingdom, and, started on the path to true happiness and peace of mind.
Bahubali spent many years in meditation and penance. According to legend, he stood meditating for such a long time that anthills formed on the ground where he stood, snakes lay coiled at is feet, and creepers grew around them. But he did not attain omniscience (KEVAL JNAAN) because he had one straining conceit (SHALYA) in his mind. He was thinking that he was standing on the ground owned by his brother Bharat. For this reason, he could not shed the knowledge-obscuring, perception-obscuring, deluding and obstructing karmas that influence the soul. When Bharat came and consoled him, his mental strain vanished and he attained omniscience and NIRVANA.
Bharat will be Rana and Baahubali, Prabhas. Prabhas's current look also supports the above storyline. We'll have to wait and watch how Rajamouli adapts the story (if it is so) to give us another enthralling movie.
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