Essay name: Paumacariya (critical study)
Author:
K. R. Chandra
Affiliation: Research institute of Prakrit, Jainology and Ahimsa Vaishali
This is a critical 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, contrasting with the divine portrayal in Valmiki’s version.
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72
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYA�
as if they are mother and daughter. Mandodarī goes away having
utmost sympathy for Sītā and advising her not to yield to Rāvaṇa in
any case (68.348-363). The MP follows the UP. It mentions addition-
ally that Mandodari recognises Sītā as her abandoned daughter by
the marks on her feet (olakhiya payajuyalañchaṇeṇa 73.22.12).
Like the PCV there are some works which do not refer to the
device of the golden deer.1
In the Kurmapurāṇa (Utta. 37.113, 114), Sītā is said to have been
kidnapped by Rāvaṇa when she was strolling alone in the forest (gṛhī-
tvā māyayā veṣa� carantī� vijane vane).
In the Anāmakam Jātaka when the king goes away to collect
fruits, a cruel Naga assuming the form of a Rṣi abducts the former's
queen.
According to the Simhalese Ramakathā, Sītā is abducted from
the capital in the absence of Rāma. The Ramacarita of Anāma men-
tions that Daśānana attacks the capital of Dasaratha and after gaining
victory over it, he takes away Sītā along with him (Bulcke p. 340).
The Western Accounts No. 6, 9, 11 & 15 do not mention the
golden deer. According to the Account No. 15 a servant of Rāvana
assuming the form of a beggar kidnaps Sītā for his master when Rāma
is out to subdue the revolting vassals (Bulcke p. 341).
E. Rama's Sojourn at Pātālaṃkārapura :
According to the PCV Rāma on being cautioned by Lakṣmaṇa
immediately goes back but does not find Sītā there (44.51). He while
making a useless search for Sītā sees the vulture crying and breathing
his last. He loses all hopes. (44.66). In the meanwhile Lakṣmaṇa
returns and learns about the sad incident. He introduces Virādhita
to Rāma. Virādhita commissions his soldiers to search for Sītā but all
in vain (45.17-27). Virādhita then takes Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa to Pātā-
lankārapura for their safety. They defeat there Sunda who then
along with his mother Candranakhā flees away to Lankā (45.44).
According to the VR Rāma meets his brother Lakṣmaṇa in the
way after having killed the deer (Mārīca). At this unexpected meeting
1. C.V. Vaidya is of the opinion that the episode of the golden deer is a later
development in the VR. Sita was abducted when Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa
had gone out for usual hunting because Sītā says to Rīvaṇa
"Agamisyati me bharta vanyamādaya puṣkalam.
Rurungodhānvarahanśca hatvadayamiṣam bahu (3.47.23)".
In the case of a golden deer she would have referred to it. (The Riddle of
the Ramayana, C. V. Vaidya, p.144).
