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 116 of: Paumacariya (critical study)
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: COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RĀMA-STORY 87 In the Anamakam Jātaka the nephew monkey sends many mon-
keys in search of the queen. They meet a wounded bird on
a hill.
informs them of the whereabouts of the Naga who had kidnapped
the queen.
Thereafter no messenger is sent but a direct attack is
mentioned.
According to the Uttarapurāṇa¹, Aṇumat goes to Lankā twice
before the slaying of Vali. During the first mission Anumat takes
the finger-ring with him (68.293). There is no mention of his fight
with Mahendrarāja or the meeting with king Gandharva and Lanka-
sundarī. Aṇumat assumes the form of a wasp and then searches for Sītā
in Lankā Sītā is said to be seated in the Nandanavana of Lankā (68.307).
Aṇumat secretly observes the arrival of Rāvana and his attempt to
coax Sītā.
Mandodari intervenes and saves Sītā from being tortured
by Rāvana (68.340) as in the VR. Here Mandodari's natural love
of a mother rises in her heart. She sympathises with Sītā, advises
her to be firm and goes away (68.363). Aṇumat then assumes the
form of a monkey and hands over to Sītā the casket which he brings
from Rāma (68.365). Sītā takes out the ring, reads the letter and
feels cheerful. She takes food on being requested by Aṇumat
(68.374-5). Then Aṇumat returns to Rāma and acquaints him with
Sita's plight (68.376). On the advice of Angada, Rāma sends again
Aṇumat to Lankā, this time as an envoy to find out the solution
peacefully through the good offices of Vibhīṣṣaṇa (68.392). Vibhīṣaṇa
takes Aṇumat to Rāvana but their conference fails for Rāvana gets
annoyed and scorns Aṇumat. Vibhīṣaṇa intervenes and sends back
Aṇumat to Rāma (68.434). It does not refer to sending of any con-
fidential news by Sītā to Rāma of her genuineness. Aṇumat appri-
ses Rāma of the arrogance and the unwillingness of Rāvana to give
up Sītā.
Then Rāma along with his army
his army
starts towards Lankā
and halts in the Citrakūṭavana for the time being (68.439).
The Mahapuraṇa agrees with the UP. It additionally mentions
that at first Sītā does not believe that Aṇumat is a genuine envoy
of Rāma. Anumat then convinces Sītā of his genuineness by tell-
ing her a private incident of her life with Rāma. He tells her about
the love quarrel she had with Rāma and Rāma's subsequent efforts in
pleasing her. He refers to the applying of 'Tilaka' on her forehead
by Rāma (72.26-27). On being convinced she accepts the casket
and the letter from Aṇumat.
1.
The UP and the MP refer to the lifting up of Kotisila by Lakṣmaṇa but it
is done after rescuing Sītā from Rāvaṇa and after the consecration of
Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa (See Sec. 9B).
