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.
Page 103 of: Paumacariya (critical study)
103 (of 671)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
74
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
According to the UP the deer is not killed but Rāma loses his
way in the forest. His attendants make a search for him but he is not
discovered. Next morning Rāma returns. When a search is made
for Sītā, her upper garment (uttarīya) is found (68.245). Subsequently
a messenger informs Rāma of a dream seen by Dasaratha. Dasaratha
dreams that Rāhu kidnapped Rohini. It meant that Sītā was kidnapped
by Rāvana and was carried away to Lankā. To this effect a letter
closed in a casket was sent by Dasaratha to Rāma through that
messenger. Following that, Rāma's brothers and Janaka console Rāma
and think over a plan for the recovery of Sītā (68.268). The MP
follows the UP, but it mentions that Lakṣmaṇa was there when Rāma
returned after the sunset and not the next morning (73.1-3) as referred
to in the UP.
SECTION VI
FRIENDSHIP WITH SUGRĪVA
A. Sugrīva's approach to Räma for help :
According to the PCV, Vānararāja Sugrīva wandering about in
distress caused by the appearance of a sham Sugrīva, learns about the
slaying of Kharadūṣaṇa. He considers the slayer of Kharadūṣaṇa to be
a fit person to help him. Accompanied by his minister Jambūnada he
approaches Rāma sojourning at Pātālaṃkārapura. Jambūnada makes
Rāma conversant with the plight of Sugrīva and requests him to assist
Sugrīva. Rāma promises to do so and asks Sugrīva to search out Sītā.
Sugrīva reciprocates with a promise to help him (47.1-31).
According to the VR, Rāma and Laksmana themselves are in
search of Sugrīva (3.75,7-10: 4.3.37). When they reach near the
Rṣyamūka hill (4.1.128), Sugrīva observes them from a distance and
gets frightened suspecting them to be disguised agents of Vāli (4.1.6,21)
Sugrīva sends his minister, Hanumat to spy against them. Hanumat
disguising himself as a 'bhikṣu' (4.3,2) approaches them and finds out
their identity. He requests them to make friends with Sugrīva (4.3.32)
who was in distress on account of being deprived of his wife and politi-
cal right by Vāli (4.5.22-23). Lakṣmaṇa tells Hanumat of the kidnapp-
ing of Sītā by some Rākṣasa and requests for the help of Sugrīva
(4 4.18). Hanumat fetches them to Sugrīva. Rāma and Sugrīva take
an oath of mutual help. Sugrīva produces before Rāma the upper
garment and the ornaments of Sītā (4.6.15) and promises to kill Rāvaṇa
(4.7.4).
The TR agrees with the VR, but it mentions that Hanumat goes
to Rāma in the disguise of a brahmin ('bipra' or 'batu' 4.1). Hanumat
