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 108 of: Paumacariya (critical study)
108 (of 671)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RĀMA-STORY 79 for the first time Rāma and Sugrīva come to know of the name and
the place of the kidnapper.
Lakṣmaṇa warns
According to the VR, before the reproachment of Sugrīva by
Lakṣmaṇa, Hanumat reminds Sugrīva of his promise (IV. 20) and
then Sugrīva orders Nīla to call for the help of the Vanaras from
different places. But still the work gets delayed. Then at the fury
of Lakṣmaṇa, Hanumat alerts Sugrīva (4.32).
Sugrīva that he will be killed by Rāma
intervenes and pacifies Lakṣmaṇa (4.24).
go but sends his generals with
(4.41-44). In place of Ratnajaṭin of the PCV, Sampāti, the elder
brother of Jatayu informs Hanumat, Angada and Jāmbavat of the
place and the name of the kidnapper³ of Sītā (i. e. Rāvaṇa). Sampāti
was informed of the same by his son Supārṣva (4. 59)
suitable
(4. 34. 17). Here Tārā¹
Sugrīva himself does not
forces to various places²
The TR agrees with the VR (TR 4.18-28). But no details of plea-
ding of Tārā for Sugrīva and no reference to Supārśva are found
in it.
4 B. Lifting up of Koṭiśilā and selection of Hanumat for Mediation:
According to the PCV (48.47-195), after hearing the very name
of the lord of Lankā, all the Vanaras get stupefied and so much frigh-
tened that Jambavat has to request Rāma to drop the idea of rescuing
Sītā because of the invincibility of Rāvaṇa. Lakṣmaṇa then tries to
convince them of the unfailing valour of Rāma but in vain. Lak�-
maṇa goes to Sindhudeśa and lifts up the 'Kotisila.' At this Jambu-
1. Sending of Tārā by Sugrīva to pacify Lakṣmaṇa is not found in the N. W.
and the Gauḍīya versions of the VR (Bulcke p. 35 ).
2.
The long description of various routes as found in the VR is a later inter-
polation (H. Jacobi-Das Rāmayana p. 37) vide Bulcke p. 356. The PCV does
not have such descriptions (48.35).
3. There are contradictory references in the VR about the identity of the
kidnapper and his place.
(A) Jaṭāyu informs Rāma of the person who kidnapped Sita and the direction
in which he went (3,67. 1' and 68. 10). But Lakṣmaṇa informs
Hanumat at the time of his first meet that he is ignorant of the identity
of the kidnapper of Sītā (4. 4. 14).
(B) Sugrīva himself promises to kill Rāvana when the former meets Rāma
for the first time (4.7.4)-
(C) Tārā informs Lakṣmaṇa that she heard of Ravana from Vāli (4.35.16).
But Rāma requests Sugrīva to discover the place of Rāvaṇa (4.40.11).
(D) Angada tells Hanumat about the kidnapping of Sītā by Rāvaṇa when
he and others get frightened at the sight of Sampāti (456.12-13).
4. Jambūnada (Jambuvat) is the minister of Sugrīva (19.18-41).
