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 PAUMACARIYA�
his abode (7.11). Then follows the marriage of Surpanakhā",
Rāvana and his brothers and the birth of the sons of
Rāvana (712). Thereafter Rāvaṇa started ruining the Devas, Rṣis,
Yakṣas and Gandharvas and the Nandanavana etc. (7.13.8-9).
Kumbhakarna is here referred to have undergone a long slumber. At
6.61.19 there is a reference to his kidnapping of other's wives (parastrī-
haraṇam). Then follows the despatch of an envoy by Dhanesvara to
prevent Rāvaṇa from committing heinous crimes, the killing of that
envoy by Rāvana (7.13), Rāvana's attack on Dhanada at Kailāśa (7 14),
the killing of the Yakṣa soldiers, the censure of Rāvaṇa by Dhanada
(Kubera), the defeat of Kubera, the removal of Kubera to Nandanavana
by his soldiers and the occupation of Puspakavimāna of Kubera and of
Laṅkā by Rāvaṇa (7.15.35). There is no reference to the subduing of
any elephant by Rāvaṇa.
According to the VR, Nārada instigated Rāvana to conquer Yama
(7.20 16) on the one hand and alerted Yama to face Rāvaṇa (7.21.6)
on the other. Rāvana then defeated the soldiers of Yama. Yama
tried to kill Rāvana but he was immediately prevented by Brahmā
(7.22.38-48). Rāvaṇa then entered into the Rasātala for further
victory.
The TR refers to the extermination of Kubera and the Yakṣas
from Lankāpuri and the wresting of Puspakavimāna from Kubera
(1.179). Yama's defeat is also referred to (1.82).
The Ramopakhyana (MB, 3 275) refers to the defeat of Kubera and
the occupation of Puspakavimāna by Rāvaṇa.
The PCR agrees with the PCV, but it mentions that Ṛkṣarāja was
made the king of Kiṣkindhipura. The PCS does not mention
Vaisravana's request to Rāvana to avoid battle. Here Ucchuraya
(Ṛkṣarāja) is made the king of Yamapuri (12.13). The RPS follows the
PCR, but no battle is mentioned between Vaiśravaṇa and Rāvaṇa. The
former renounced the world and
the world and
Rāvana paid homage to him
(IV. p. 126).
According to the Vasudevahiṇḍī Rāvaṇa on being oppressed by his
stepbrothers Soma, Yama etc. left his father's city and went away to
Lanka. According to the UP and the MB Rāvana's ancestor,
Sahasragrīva had already occupied Lankā on being expelled from his
father's city by his nephew.
1. See further.
2. Already described.
