Paumacariya (critical study)
by K. R. Chandra | 1970 | 238,015 words
This is an English study of the Paumacariya: the earliest Jain version of Rama's life story, written in Prakrit by Vimalasuri dating to the 4th century AD. In this text, Rama (referred to as Padma) is depicted with lotus-like eyes and a blooming face. The Paumacariya places emphasis on the human aspects of characters rooted in Jain values, contrast...
6. Ajita-svamin, the second Tirthankara
[Full title: Informative stories; (A) Caritas of Eminent persons; (6) Ajita-svamin, the second Tirthankara]
After having narrated the biography of Rsabha, Gautama relates the life of the second Tirthankara, Ajitasvamin and associates with him the origin of the Raksasavamsa (5.48-61, 123 and 167). Tridasanjaya, the son of Dharanidhara ruled at Saketapuri. He begot on his wife Indurekha (Indaleha) a son called Jitasatru. Jitasatru married Vijaya. She was the daughter of king Ananda of Podanapura born of Kamalamala. Vijaya gave birth to Ajitasvamin. Having once observed a withering lotus-garden Ajitasvamin renounced the world. He broke his fast at Saketapuri by taking the food offered by Brahmadatta. During the twelfth year of his renunciation he attained Kevala. He had 90 Ganadharas and one lac minus nine disciples. Once Vidyadhara Meghavahana took refuge under him. He was made the first lord of Raksasadvipa by Bhima, the lord of Raksasa gods (5.137). Ajita sermoned on religion and in course of time attained Nirvana on the Sammeta mountain. The Samavayanga (Su. 24), the Kalpasutra (Su. 203) and the Tiloyapannatti refer to Ajitanatha as the second Tirthankara and his parents as Jitasatru and Vijaya. There are differences as regards other details in various works. The Paumacariya (5.71), Paumacariu (5.3.2) and Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. (p. 14) mention that in the fourteenth year of his renunciation Ajita attained Kevala while the Uttara-purana (48.42), the Mahapurana (38.21) and the Trishashti Shalaka Purusha-caritra (II. p. 99) agree with the PGV. The Tiloyapannatti and the Paumacariya (5.73) agree with the number of Ganadharas mentioned in the Paumacariya but they mention one lac disciples. The Paumacariu 10
146 A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM (5.3.5), the Uttara-purana (48.43f) and the Mahapurana (38.25) agree with the Paumacariya The Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. (p. 14) mentions 80 Ganadharas while the Trishashti Shalaka Purusha-caritra (II. p. 219) refers to 95.