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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146
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYA�
(5.3.5), the UP (48.43f) and the MP (38.25) agree with the PCR. The
RPS (p. 14) mentions 80 Gaṇadharas while the TSP (II. p. 219)
refers to 95.
7. Munisuvrata the twentieth Tirthåkara :
After having narrated the RÄvaṇacarita and the origin of the
Harivamsa, Gautama relates the biography of twentieth Tirthankara,
Munisuvratanatha whose congregational period is associated with the
advent of RÄma and RÄvaṇa (21.11-28).
a
Sumitra, who belonged to Harivamsa, ruled at Kuśagranagara.
His wife, PadmÄvatÄ« gave birth to a son. He was named Munisuvrata
because his mother was observing vows when the embryo was growing
in her womb. Once having seen winter-cloud waning away
Munisuvratanatha enthroned his son, Suvrata and accepted asceticism.
He broke his fast at RÄjagá¹›ha by accepting the alms offered by king
Vṛṣabhadatta. He performed penances and attained Kevala under the
creeper Campaka. After having established the TÄ«rtha he attained
deliverance on the Sammeta mountain.
The SamavÄyÄnga (Su. 24), the KalpasÅ«tra (Su. 184f) and the
Tiloyapanṇatti (4.545) refer to Muni SuvratanÄtha as the 20th Tirthan-
kara. The PCR (21.10-12) and the TSP (IV. p. 79) agree regarding his
parentage given in the PCV. The UP (67.21), the RPS (p. 71) and
the MP (68.3) name his mother as SomÄ.
The RPS (p. 75) names his wife as á¹¢umangalÄ. The HVPJ (16.55)
and the TSP (IV. p. 81) name her as PrabhÄvatÄ«.
The PCR and the HVPJ mention Vṛṣabhadatta, the TSP and the
CVJC call him Brahmadatta while the UP (67.45), the MP (58.7) and
the RPS name Vṛṣabhasena who offered alms to Muni SuvratanÄtha.
8. Duel between Bharata and Bähubali :
This episode is narrated by Gautama just following the attainment
of omniscience by Ṛṣabha (4.36-56).
Bharata, the first son of Rá¹£abha became the sovereign ruler
(Cakravartin) of BhÄrata, but his brother, Bahubali who reigned
Taká¹£aÅ›ilÄ did not accept suzerainty of the former. Therefore, Bharata
sought a battle with Bahubali. At the initiative of Bahubali a sight.
duel and wrestling took place between them. As Bharata got over-
powered so he threw his discuss at Bahubali but the latter was not
hurt at all. At that moment Bahubali developed the feeling of
renunciation. Bharata tried in vain to prevent his brother from
