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�
(xiv) Kāśmīrī Rāmāyaṇa (18th century A. D.): -1. Introduction
of the bow specially for the purpose of Sita's 'svayamvara' (Supra,
Ch. 3. 2. D). 2. Exoneration of Kaikeyi by introducing Nārada's
advice and Rāma's decision to go in exile rather than accepting kingship
(Supra, Ch. 3. 3. B). 3. Hanuman's encounter with Bharata while
taking the medicine to Lanka (Bulcke, p. 391 & Supra, Ch. 3. 8. E).
4. Disturbing of the sacrifice of Rāvaṇa (Supra, Ch. 3. 8. G). 5. Lava
as elder brother of Kusa and their battle with Rāma (Supra, Ch.
3. 9. D).
(xv) Oriya Vicitra Rāmāyaṇa of Mādhavadāsa (18th Cent A.D):�
Killing of the son of Surpanakhā by Lakṣmaṇa (Supra,
Ch. 3. 5. B).
(xvi) Gujarātī Rāmāyaṇa-sāra (19th century A. D.): -1. Observing
of Vibhīṣaṇa by Hanumat on his mission to discover Sītā (Supra,
Ch. 3. 7. D). 2. Rāvaṇa's unsuccessful sacrifice (Supra, Ch. 3. 8. G).
3. Lava and Kusa's battle (Supra, Ch. 3. 9. D).
(xvii) Gujarātī Narmakathākoś a (?) (Bulcke, p. 432):-1. Son of
Hanumat (Supra, Ch. 4.2).
(xviii) Birhor Ramakatha:-1. The influence of the Jaina tradition
that Lakṣmaṇa killed Rāvaṇa is found even on the stories popular
among the Birhors, the aboriginal people of Bihar (Bulcke, p. 215).
(2) Works composed outside India:
(a) South Asia:
(i) Tibetan Rāmāyaṇa (9th Century A. D.):-1. Voluntary exile
of Rāma specially for favouring kingdom to his younger brother and no
intrigue of stepmother as in the Dasaratha Jātaka (Supra, Ch. 3. 3. B).
2. Lava as elder brother of Kuśa (Supra, Ch. 3.9. D).
(ii) Khotānī Rāmāyaṇa (9th century A.D.) :-1. Rāvana's unsuccess-
ful sacrifice (Supra, Ch. 3.8. G).
(iii) Simhalese Ramakatha (15th cent. A D.): -1. Lava as elder
brother of Kuśa (Supra, Ch. 3. 9. D). 2. Lava and Kusa's battle
(Supra, Ch. 3. 9. D).
(iv) Rāmāyaṇa Kakavin of Jāvā (12th cent. A.D.) :1. Vibhīṣaṇa's
going to Rama for shelter along with his army (Supra, Ch. 3. 8. B).
According to the VR Vibhīṣaṇa approaches along with his
ministers. According to the PCV Vibhiṣana goes along with his army.
(v) Brahmacakra of Laos (earlier than 16th cent. A. D.)-1.
Presence of various candidates on the occasion of Sītā's 2. Battle
