Bharata (Jainism)

Bharata
1st Chakravarti (universal monarch)
Bharata Chakravartin
Statue of Bharata as a monk at Chandragiri Hill, Shravanabelagola
SuccessorSagara
ColorSkin
Personal information
Born
Died
Parents
SiblingsNami and 97 other (brothers)

Brāhmī (sister)

Bahubali (step-brother) and Sundarī (step-sister)
SpouseSubhadrā
ChildrenPrince Arkakīrti
Marichi

In Jainism, Bharata was the first chakravartin (lit. 'holder of a chakra', i.e., emperor) of the Avasarpini (present half-time cycle). He was the eldest son of Rishabhanatha, the first tirthankara. He had two sons from his chief-empress Subhadra, named Arkakirti and Marichi. He is said to have conquered all six parts of the world and to have engaged in a fight with Bahubali, his brother, to conquer the last remaining city of the world.

According to the Digambara sub-tradition of Jainism, in his later years, he renounced the world, led an ascetic life, and attained kevala jnana (omniscience). According to the Śvetāmbara Jains, he attained kevala jnana (omniscience) after which he renounced the world. He gained kevala jnana when he came to believe that the human body lacked beauty and renounced the world as a kevalajnani (omniscient), and then attained moksha.


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