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...
43. The previous births of Visalya and Laksmana
[Full title: Didactic stories; (A) Religious cum Moral Stories; (43) The previous births of Visalya and Laksmana or the story of Anangasara and Punarvasu]
Following the narration of the killing of Hasta and Prahasta by Nala and Nila in the battle, Srenika enquired of Gautama about the former's previous births. Gautama narrated the story (58.1-19) illustrating the consequences of following wrong faith and committing murder. Indhana (Indhaka) and Pallava, two agriculturist brahmin brothers were votaries of the Jaina faith and used to show due respect to the monks. They were killed by other two brothers who were the followers of wrong faith. The dead ones were reborn in Harivarsa and thereafter in the celestial abodes. The culprits after their death passed through various subhuman existences, became Tapasas and then were reborn as Hasta and Prahasta. Those two celestial beings were reborn as laymen, observed the vows and after their death were reborn as Nala and Nila. The Paumacariya (59.1-34) contains the same story. The Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. (ch. 23) mentions that Indhaka and Pallava were killed by two Bhillas who
INTERVENING STORIES 177 after being reborn as Tapasas passed through the life of Jyotiska devas and then were reborn as Hasta and Prahasta.