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 122 of: Paumacariya (critical study)
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COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RĀMA-STORY 93 by Indrajit and released by Garuḍa (12.74-76). The duel of Sugrīva
and Rāvana, the sending of Angada and the showing of wounded
Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa to Sītā have not been referred to. In the
Bhaṭṭikavya on the advice of Vibhīṣaṇa, Rāma remembers Garuda
(1465) and as soon as Garuda appears
the serpent
serpent
nooses of
Lakṣmaṇa loosens.
D. Wounding of Lakṣmaṇa by the hit of a Śakti of Rāvaṇa :
According to the PCV, after the release of Sugrīva and Bha-
mandala, Rāvana appears in the battlefield for the first time. He
has first a hot discussion with Vibhīṣaṇa who asks Rāvana to give
up Sītā, but Rāvaṇa ignores him. and makes a direct fight with
him (61.14-21). In this all round fight, Lakṣmaṇa and Rāma imprison
Indrajit and Bhanukarṇa respectively. Ghanavāhana also is
captured (61.47-52). Then Lakṣmaṇa turns towards Ravana who
is fighting with Vibhīṣaṇa. Here Lakṣmaṇa, being struck with the
Amoghavijaya Sakti hurled by Rāvana, falls down wounded and
unconscious on the ground (61.61). Rāma overpowers Rāvaṇa and
makes him flee away to Lanka (61.71).
According to the VR, after the assassination of Kumbhakarṇa
there follows the slaying of the four sons of Rāvaṇa, viz. Narān-
taka, Devāntaka, Triśiras as well as Atikāya and the two brothers of
Rāvana, viz. Mahodara and Mahāpārśva (there are no such
reference in the PCV). Then Indrajit in his invisible form overpowers
Rama and Lakṣmaṇa who intentionally fall down on the ground to
deceive him (6.69-73). Hanumat brings the Oṣadhi-parvata and
cures Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa (6.74). The Vanaras burn the city of
Lanka (6.75). Then follows the slaying of Kampana, Kumbha, and
Makarākṣa (6.76-79). Thereafter Indrajit kills illusory Sītā, conjured
up by his dark powers, before the Vānaras (6.81) and goes away to
perform a yajña. He is attacked and killed by Lakṣmaṇa, first
The PCV does not refer to these
destroying his unholy yajña (6.86-90).
episodes. In the PCV as already stated above, Indrajit is not killed
but captured. In the VR Rāvaṇa being distressed with the death of
Indrajit, tries to kill Sītā but he is checked by Supārsva (6.92.59).
Then follows the killing of Virūpākṣa, Mahodara and Mahāpārsva
(repetition). Thereafter Rāvaṇa himself fights with Vibhīṣaṇa as in the
PCV. Lakṣmaṇa intervenes and gets wounded by the hit of a Sakti
hurled by Rāvaṇa (6.100.36). Rāma then makes Rāvana flee away
from the battlefield as mentioned in the PCV.
