The Kannada version of Jaimini Bharata was written by Lakshmisha, a devotee of Lakshmikanta of Devanur in Kadur Taluk. Scholars are of the opinion that the poet lived in the 16th century AD and followed the Smarta Bhagavata tradition.
Composed in vardhaka satpadi meter, Jaimini Bharata contains thirty four sandhis and 1,907 verses. The story of Ashwamedha Yagna performed by Yudhisthira is narrated beautifully. The poet makes some changes and adds a few new ideas and stories.
Certain stories in Kannada Lakshmisha Jaimini Bharata like those of Yavanasva, Sudhanva, Mayurdhwaj, Viravarma and Chandrahasa are not found in the Sanskrit Jaimini Bharata.
King Yudhishthira, unhappy over the deaths of his brother, friends and relatives in the Kurukshetra war, was advised by Veda Vyasa to perform Ashwamedha Yajna (horse ritual). The ritual horse (yajnasava) went from place to place and the army under the leadership of Arjuna followed the horse. There was battle with each of the kings who captured the horse. Details about the fight and the enemy who captured the yajnasava are given in the Lakshmisha Jaimini Bharata.
Being adapt at narration, Lakshmisha produces the effect of drama in the minds of the readers. Attracted by this depiction, many authors have composed dramas selecting episodes from the Kannada Jaimini Bharata.
Lakshmisha was inspired by the Bhakti movement in which epic heroes like Rama and Krishna were looked upon as supreme gods.
The main aim of Lakshmisha is to establish the greatness of God and the power of devotion to him.