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...
60. Atmasreyas and the Mystic ring
[Full title: Didactic stories; (B) Stories of General Prudence; (60) Atmasreyas and the Mystic ring]
Laksmana narrated this story in reply of the preceding story to clear of Jambunada's (Jambavat) apprehensions and to convince and encourage the Khecara soldiers to fight and recover Sita (48.77-96). It illustrates that the brave deserves the fair. Atmasreyas (Appaseo) on account of his previous 'Subha' karmas enjoyed his life without doing any labour while his two elder brothers worked hard. At this extravagancy of Atmasreyas, his parents banished him from home. On his way as he was contemplating to commit suicide, he met an exiled prince namely, Bhanu who had obtained from his preceptor at Kusumapura a mystic ring which could cure diseases and could destroy calamities. According to a prophecy Bhanu was going to re-acquire his kingdom,
INTERVENING STORIES 197 hence he he gave away the ring to Atmasreyas. The latter returned to his home town. There he cured, with the help of the ring, the queen who was bitten by a snake. Being pleased with this performance the king of that place favoured him with great presents. Once he put A the ring under a tree and went away to take his bath in a lake. lizard (gohero-godhero) removed that ring and after entering into the 'bila' (hollow) made great noise. The people got frightened at this noise, but Atmasreyas uprooted the tree, killed that lizard and ultimately recovered the ring. Thus his the ring. Thus his reckless courage triumphed. Rama, Ravana and Sita are compared with Atmasreyas, the lizard and the mystic ring respectvely. The Paumacariya (48.157-182) mentions no other brother of Atmasreyas. Bhanu is called Subhanu, the prince of Prthusthana. Kurmapura is mentioned instead of Kusumapura while Kusumapura is said to have been the town of Atmasreyas. The ring is mentioned to be It mentions many made of iron. The Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. (ch. 20) follows the Paumacariya brothers of Atmasreyas.