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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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYA峁�
to the brides by announcing their respective qualifications and the
status of their families (6.165). This function of the Dhais indicates
that they were well informed persons and enjoyed a high social status
among the rulers. Their functions suggest that they were employed
by those who were financially very sound. Thus they whould have
obtained high salaries and privileges from their employers.
Doctors: It seems that the women followed the medical profession
also. Vi艣aly膩 who was a princess was called for to treat Lak峁a峁嘺
who had been wounded in the battlefield by the sakti of R膩vana. She
seems to be an expert surgeon having a number of lady assistants
following her (64.21). It indicates that female physicians and
surgeons were available in the society.
C. Political Status.
Warriors: In the political field also women were not neglected.
Kaikeyi's expertness in driving the war-chariot of Dasaratha in his
battle with the disgruntled candidates on the occasion of her 鈥榮vaya-
mvara' denotes that women did take part in fighting (24. 23). There
is a reference to R膩ma who along with some soldiers disguised as
a dancing and panegyric girl (c膩ra峁嘺kann膩 37. 59) captured the
enemy-king in the battlefield. It alludes to the fact that girls were
employed for a political-strategy and they probably even knew how to
wield weapons. Further the PCV reveals that Lank膩sundar铆 in defence
of the fort of Lank膩 fought with Hanumat She drove in a war-chariot
and handled various kinds of weapons as an expert fighter鹿 (52. 12-15).
That the women took part in fighting is corroborated by other.
evidences. Pata帽ajali uses S膩ktiki (on Pa峁噄n墨, 4. 1. 15) which denotes
female spear-bearers. Kautilya records that the king is received by the
women armed with bows at the time of getting up from his bed (1.21.
1). Megasthenese refers to women in chariots, on horses and elephants.
and equipped with weapons.2
Administrators-The women worked not only in the military but
they worked even as administrators. These were the posts of highest
order in the political world and were the most honoured positions in
the society. Thus the PCV mentions that king Nahu峁 on the occasion
of his departure from the capital on a war-campaign handed over the
reigns of government to his queen Simhik膩 (22.57). In the absence of
1. Mu帽cai sare, pesei satti 52.14; vijj膩balasannihiy膩 moggarasarajhasarabhi-
ndam膩l膩i峁� mu帽eai......vijju va calahatth膩-52.15.
2- AIU, p, 564.
