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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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARİYA�
second time (6.67), to liberate Sītā. Then follows the request of
Prahasta (here as a son of Rāvaṇa) to return Sītā and to fight
against Rāma if the latter desires SO even after the release of
Sītā (6.6-10). There is no reference to the battle with Hasta.
Rama's climbing on the Suvela is referred to, but the duel between
Sugrīva and Rāvaṇa does not find any mention (6. 11.). It additionally
states that Rāma discharges an arrow (6. 13) and makes the parasol
and the diadem of Rāvana as well as the earrings of Mandodari
fall down. Mandodari again requests Rāvaṇa to give up Sītā (6. 14)
and to bow down his head to the feet of Bhagavān Rāma (6. 15). Then
follows the mediatory work of Augada who first requests Rāvana to
become considerate enough to return Sītā to Rāma, the incarnate God¹
(6. 20). Once more Mandodarī tries to set Rāvaṇa right but in vain
(6 35-37). Then follows the battle. There is no mention of the
seizing of Sugrīva and Bhāmaṇḍala. First of all Hanumat inflicts a
crushing defeat on Meghanāda (Indrajit 6. 63) Angada's fight is also
mentioned (6. 44). Thereafter Malyavat makes a vain effort to dissuade
Rāvaṇa from nursing enmity with Rāma (6. 48). Now Lakṣmaṇa is
wounded by a Sakti (6.54). Then follows Kumbhakarṇa's turn, who
is ultimately killed by Rāma (6. 71) as in the VR. Here Rāma only
and not Lakṣmaṇa gets enmeshed of his own accord with the serpent
nooses of Meghanāda (6. 74). On that occasion Garuda who is sent
by Devarṣi (Nārada) releases Rāma from the serpent-nooses. Thus
the TR also does not follow the same sequence as found in the VR. As
stated above Lakṣmaṇa is wounded before the death of Kumbhakarna.
In the PCV also Kumbhakarna is captured after the wounding of
Lakṣmaṇa (See further).
The Ramopakhyāna agrees with the VR, but it does not mention
the severing of imaginary head of Rama, the efforts of Malyavat to
set right Rāvana and the duel between Rāvaṇa and Sugrīva (MB, 3.
284-287). Here Vibhīṣaṇa kills Prahasta while Hasta is not mentioned.
Prahasta is the first casualty here as in the PCV. Then Sugrīva is
seized by Kumbhakarna (ch. 286).
The Raghuvamsa does not mention all the episodes of the VR.
After referring to the imaginary head of Rāma and Trijatā's efforts
to console Sītā, it states that Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa are captured
1. In the VR Angada straightway thunders a warning to Rāvaṇa, but in the
TR first of all he uses sweet words for the well-being of Rāvaṇa himself. In
the PCV Hanumat went as a mediator when he took the finger-ring of Rama
to Sītā.
