Spectacular Siddhachal Bahubali Tirth Is Yours to Make
By Jaipat Singh Jain
Jai Jinendra! 40 years ago, Acharya Sushil Kumarji said that at Siddhachalam, a yatri will have bhava darshan of Palitana and Bahubali Tirth. The time has come to give fuller shape to that prophecy.
A short presentation on Siddhachal Bahubali Tirth Project made at the JAINA Convention on July 2, 2023.
Legend has it that after winning and renouncing sovereignty over the world, Bahubalidev stood in unbroken meditation for one year. And then, just as he humbly took the first few steps to seek Adinath Rishabhdev and his brother monks, he attained the fruit of his superhuman quest: he became omniscient, a kevalin. One who’s entire being is embodied absolute consciousness.
We now seek to situate on top of a grand mountain – our own Siddhachal Giri – a statue of Bhagwaan Rishabhdev. And next to that, a monumental monolith of Shri Bahubalidev in meditation.
Bahubalidev is one of our most celebrated siddhas. Siddha are souls possessed of infinite consciousness, infinite bliss, and infinite energy after having become kevalin. Bahubalidev’s towering struggle to reach that state exemplify Jainism’s timeless messages: ascetic immobility in search of victory over oneself, and the crowning majesty of forgiveness. His story is worthy of re-telling in every home.
Please join us in writing the story in marble. For our children and their children and for all times to come.
Click links below to learn more.
Keshi said to Gautam: “Whom do you call foes?” Hearing these words of Keshi, Gautam replied: “O sage! The first foe is one’s unconquered soul. Add to this the four passions of anger, conceit, deceit and greed, and the five senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. Vanquishing all these ten, I move about righteously.” Kumar-shraman Keshi said: “Gautam, you are endowed with excellent wisdom. You have removed my doubt…” Uttaradhyayana Sutra, 23:3- 39. The conversation between Sharman Keshi, follower of Bhagwaan Parsvanath, and Gautam Swami, the ganadhara of Bhagwaan Mahavira.