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鈥檚 version.
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168
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
became impotent. Ahalya was also cursed by Gautama to remain
invisible for one thousand years and to return to her original form when
R膩ma visited the place. At 7. 30. 17f it is said that Indra becomes
gloomy on being defeated by Meghavahana (Indrajit). Then Pit膩maha
(Praj膩pati) reminds Indra of his previous sin and narrates the above
story and further adds that he himself had created Ahaly膩 very
beautiful to look at. Indra had thought that she would become his
wife, but she was married to Gautama. At this Indra became angry
and committed adultery with her. Then Gautama cursed him to the
effect that he would be subdued and humiliated in the battle by his
enemy. The present defeat was the result of his 鈥榙u峁峁泃鈥�.
33. The previous birth of Srisaila or Hanu, or the story of
Damayanta:
When A帽jana was banished by his mother-in-law, she entered a
forest along with her companion Vasantam膩l膩. There she paid homage
to a muni meditating near a cave. Vasantam膩l膩 enquired of the monk
about the cause of A帽jan膩's plight and the previous life of the unfortu-
nate child who was still in the womb of A帽jan膩. Then the monk
narrated the following story (17. 43-58) thereby explaining the
fruits of observing penances.
Damayanta, the son of Priyanandin and Jay膩 of Mandarapura,
on account of offering some gifts to a monk, passed through the birth
of a celestial being and then was reborn as Simhacandra being the son
of Priyangulak峁墨 and Hariv膩hana of Varapura. On account of his
devotion to the religion, he passed through the life of a celestial being
and was reborn as a son of Kanakodari and king Sukantha of
Vijay膩rdha. He reigned Aru峁嘺pura and in due course renounced the
world under Muni Lak峁idhara during the tirtha of Vimalanatha. He
observed penances and after passing through a celestial life, he was
reborn as a child in the womb of A帽jan膩sundar墨.
The PCR (17. 141-164) names Varapura as M峁沢膩峁卥anagara and
Harivahana as Haricandra. The TSP (IV. p. 172) agrees with the PCR
and the RPS (ch. 9) agrees with the PCR, but it names Priyangulak峁墨
as Priyalak峁墨.
34. The previous birth of A帽jan盲sundari or the story of
Kanakodari:
After narrating the preceding story the monk related the following
story (17.59-70) illustrating the consequences of desecrating a Jina-
idol.
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