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 118 of: Paumacariya (critical study)
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COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RĀMA-STORY Asrama (5.57). 89 The deity of the sea here appears in the form of a
Vipra (5.58). Nala and Nīla both are appointed to construct the bridge
installed Śiva-linga at
(5.59). It additionally states that Rāma installed
Rāmeśvaram¹ (6.2)
According to the
Rāmopākhyāna, the sea deity appears before
Rāma in his dream and advises him to ask Nala to construct a bridge
(MB, 3.283.32-45). It does not mention the specific names of the
hills traversed. The Raghuvamsa of Kalid sa (12.66-72) does not
refer to the hills and the work of the spies.
�
Like the PCV the following works do not mention the construc-
tion of a bridge but unlike the PCV some other device is adopted.
According to the Abhiseka Nāṭaka, the sea gives way when Rāma is
ready to discharge an arrow (4.16.2). According to the Padmapuraṇa,
Rama at the request of Nārada worships Sankara who gives the former
a bow which is laid across for crossing
the sea. (Pātālakhaṇḍa, ch.
112 p. 743). According to its ch. 269 (Uttarakhaṇḍa), the water of the
sea disappears when Rāma discharges arrows at it. According to the
Adbhuta Rāmāyaṇa when Lakṣmaṇa jumps into the sea, its water gets
evaporated (ch. 16). In the Birhora Rāma story Hanumat stretches
his tail and Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa cross the sea (Bulcke, p. 384).
B. Vibhiṣaṇa's shelter under Rāma :
According to the the PCV, Vibhīṣaṇa advises Rāvana to desist
from war and to release Sītā (55.6). A hot discussion follows between
both the brothers. Indrajit intervenes and abuses Vibhīṣaṇa. Rāvaṇa
in wrath draws his sword while Vibhīṣaṇa pulls out a pillar and they
are ready for a fierce duel which is stopped by the intervention of
Indrajit and Bhānukarṇa (55. 20). Then Vibhīṣaṇa with his meagre
force takes shelter under Rāma First Rāma is apprehensive, but
after conviction he allows Vibhīṣaṇa to join him. At this
At this
time
Bhāmandala arrives there to assist Rāma (54.47).
According to the VR Vibhīṣaṇa takes shelter under Rāma before
the latter crosses the sea (6. 9. 16 to 6. 16). He goes to Rāma with
his four warriors. No protest or duel with Rāvana is mentioned in
this connection Vibhīṣaṇa is coronated there by Lakṣmaṇa in advance
(6. 19. 26) In other respects the VR agrees with PCV, but there is no
reference to Bhāmaṇḍala.
1. It i mentioned in the southern recension of VR. (Bulcke, p. 377).
2. According to the Gauḍīya version he is said to have gone to Kailasa and on
being advised by Vaisravana and Siva he joined Rāma (Bulcke, p. 379).
