Three “Bharathas” in Vedic Tradition

Three “Bharathas” in Vedic Tradition

Introduction:

What was the ancient name of India?

Ancient name of India was “Anjanabha” (Bhagavatha 5:7:3). 

The name “Bharatha” became famous after king “Bharatha” ruled it as “chakravarti”.

“Hindustan” was a much later name - derived from the word “hindu” (in persian language - the people who lived beyond the river Sindhu). 

The present name “India” is a culmination of “Indos” in Greek, “Hindu” in Persian and “Sindhu” in Sanskrit.

Now, who was this king “Bharatha”?

King Bharatha was the son of Lord Rishabha (incarnation of Lord Vishnu).

But there are two more important persons called “Bharatha”: Dushyantha’s son- Bharatha and Sage Bharatha of “natya shastra”.

Vedic Tribe is happy to bring you this introductory series on “three Bharathas in Vedic Tradition”. Our intent is to create enough curiosity in you to appreciate the richness of our tradition, study it and adopt good practices in your life.

In the next write-up we shall discuss Lord Rishabha’s son King Bharatha.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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1. Lord Rishabha’s son - King Bharatha

In Bhagavatha Purana, Lord Rishabha is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and he instructs his sons to follow the elder one “Bharatha”.

So King Bharatha ruled over this land which became famous by his name.

In Jainism, Lord Rishabha is the first “theerthankara” and “Adi purana” of Jinasena gives us the account of his life & teachings. “Pampa’s” adaptation of “Adi purana” in Kannada elaborates the most famous fight between his two sons - “bharatha” and “bahubali”. Though “bahubali” wins the fight, he renounces everything and becomes a digambara monk. This enables “bharatha” to rule as chakravarti and in his later life he also becomes a monk.

However, in Bhagavatha, the story of “bharatha” is different. After he inherits the empire from his father and rules it successfully, he retires to “pulahashrama” for penance. He develops attachment to a deer and falls from his spiritual height. He dies while thinking about the deer and reincarnates as a deer itself. He realises his mistake and when he attains human life again, he remains indifferent to the world. Due to his indifference, he is known as “jada-bharata” and in that life he attains liberation.

In the next write-up, we will discuss Dushyantha’s son- Bharatha (who was the ancestor of pandavas in mahabharata)

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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2. Dushyantha’s son- Bharatha

In Mahabharatha’s “Adi parva”, pandava’s ancestor “Dhushyantha”’s story is told. Kalidasa’s “Abhijnanashakunthala” is the most influential adaptation of his story with Shakunthala and his son “Bharatha”

His lineage is known as “chandra vamsha” and due to him it was called “bharatha vamsha”. In this lineage “Kuru” ruled as king and due to him the lineage was called “kuru vamsha”. The hundred sons of “dhrutarashtra” were called kauravas and the five sons of “pandu” were called “pandavas”.

In Bhagavatgeeta, Lord Krishna calls “arjuna” as “Bharatha” (i.e., descendant of “bharatha vamsha”)

Some stories suggest it is this “Bharatha” the ancestor of pandavas - who became “jada-bharatha” (see previous write-up). However, Bhagavatha purana is clear that the elder son of Lord Vrishabha became jada-bharatha and not the ancestor of pandavas.

In the next write-up we will discuss “Bharatha muni” of natyashastra

Madhwesh K

Veci Tribe

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3. “Bharatha muni” of “natyashashtra”

“Bharathanatyam” - the south indian classical dance form is the direct derivative of “bharatha muni”’s “natyashastra” (composed at least 2500 years ago)

Not much is known about his life, but his work influenced our dramatic compositions, theater & other performing arts, cultural aesthetics, iconography and many more.

Indian aesthetics contains a unique proposition called “rasa sidhantha” which developed directly from his work. This codifies how external cues invoke emotions & feelings of the observer. Indian classical music, dance & theater has this “rasa sidhantha” as foundation and due to this many aspects have remained influential even after thousands of years.

Vedic Tribe is happy to have brought you this introductory series on “Three Bharathas in Vedic Tradition”. Our intent is to convey the richness of our culture & tradition so that you can appreciate, study & adopt the same.

All the best.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe