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�
2. Other Jaina Tradition of Rama-Story:
(a) Current of Vasudevahiṇá¸i's RÄma-story:
It is discussed following in the section G (i) that the Vasudeva-
hindi of SanghadÄsagani was composed probabably earliar than the
Paumacariyam. If it is not so then both the works belong to a some-
the
what contemporary period and it will be worth while to compare
RÄma-stories of both the works so as to find out the points of their
agreement and disagreement. A comparative study of them (for
details See Supra Ch. 3 and 4) reveals that there are some points of
agreement in both the stories but they seem to follow different.
traditions.
(i) Points of Agreement :-
of Kaikeyī. 2.
1. Bharata and Satrughna as the sons
No
DevÄsura battle. KaikeyÄ« helps Dasaratha in his fight with some
kings. The prominence of chariot. PCV-She drives Dasaratha's
war-chariot. 3. On the occasion of the 'svayaṃvara' of SÄ«tÄ many
candidates are present.
4. Dasaratha himself informs RÄma of his
promise to Kaikeyi and her demands (VR-Dasaratha is silent). 5.
Kaikeyi's attempt to call back RÄma from exile. 6. No hiding of
RÄma while killing (VÄlÄ« in the VH and sham SugrÄ«va in the PCV). 7.
No burning of Laá¹…kÄ by HanumÄn. 8. Bharata sends his army to help
RÄma on receiving a message from the latter (VH). RÄma sends
messages to Bhamandala (the brother of SÄ«tÄ) twice (48.-34; 54. 46).
Bhamandala goes to help Rama (PCV). 9. Vibhiá¹£aṇa joins with RÄma
when the latter reaches the other side of the sea (VR-before crossing the
sea). 10. RÄvaṇa, VÄli and SugrÄ«va are said to be belonging to the
Vidyadhara race (VH). RÄká¹£asa and VÄnara races are the branches of
Vidyadhara race (PCV) 11. RÄma etc. are called land-farers (Dharaṇi-
goyara VH, I. p. 243; Bhūmigoyara PCV, 28. 66).
(ii) Points of disagreement:-
In spite of the above mentioned similarities the RÄma-story
of the PCV widely differs from that of the 'H as follows:-1. The
VH does not refer to RÄma as Padma. 2. VH. SÄ«tÄ is born of
Mandodari by RÄvana. She is abandoned in her babyhood by her
parents. Janaka and his wife DhÄriṇīdevÄ« adopt her as their daughter.
PCV SÄ«tÄ is the daughter of Videhi by Janaka. 3. The VH does
not contain the device of Bow in the 'svayaṃvara' of SÄ«tÄ. 4. VH Two
boons are granted to Kaikeyĩ on two different occasions. PCV-One
boon only. 5. VH-MantharÄ abets KaikeyÄ« for crowning Bharata
