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.
Page 406 of: Paumacariya (critical study)
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SOCIAL CONDITIONS 377 family addressed her as 'kallāṇi� (kalyāṇi), ‘suhakamme', (subhakarme)
and 'mahāpujje' (mahāpūjye 96. 9).
The king used to address his feudal-lord as 'vaccha' (45.4; 45. 24).
Reverential persons such as monks etc. were addressed as 'mahājaśa'
(30. 57).
These addresses were used as far as the relations were unrestrai-
ned. Otherwise they took an abusive turn and the persons, to whatever
status they may belong, were addressed in insulting terms. Añjanā
while being censured by her mother-in-law was addressed as 'päve'
(pāpe 17. 3), 'duṭṭhasile' (duṣṭasīle 17. 6), In the battlefield Duṣaṇa
calls Lakṣmaṇa as 'pāva' pāpa (45.9); Bhāmaṇḍala to the envoy of
Rāvaṇa as 'pāvadūya', 'kolhuya', 'duvvayaṇāvāsa (durvacanāvāsa
65. 26), ‘duṭṭhapasu' (duṣṭapaso) and ‘acāritto' (acāritra 65. 27). On
the occasion of reproaching anyone the term ‘adhama' was used
(dhiddhi te Rakkhasähama 68. 25).
If any male person attempted to force talk with an unwilling
woman, then she usually turned her face away and then talked with
him (46. 6).
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Salutes The above mentioned terms were the expressions through
speech. Besides these addresses, the expression to one's feeling of
reverence, modesty, symathy or love was further manifested by some
physical acts. Obeisance was a necessary form of accost on the part of
a inferior when he met a superior and on the part of the superior
it was necessary to endear or bless the inferior. Thus the PCV reveals
that on occasion of any meeting, an inferior paid his respects by bowing
his head to the superior whether he was a father (34. 56), mother
(79. 28; 98. 71-72), elder brother (79. 14; 38. 50; 94. 2), or elder
94.2),
sister (76. 22). The same manners were displayed when a king was paid
respects by his ministers (5. 177), envoys (6.16), messengers (8. 227), or
a woman of high status or other inferiors (76. 26). Another method
was to raise the joined palms on the head and then to bow to the
superior (32. 46), or to prostrate and touch the feet of the superiors
(6.24; 16. 71; 76. 19; 100. 32; 55. 46; 65. 11; 6 23; 63. 18) of
various circles.
The younger ones or the inferiors saluted the elders or the superiors
by prostrating at their feet and took their due permission (16.35;
31.93, 101, 103, 104;19.13, 34, 59; 16.89; 71.1; 31.102), before departing
from them on any expedition. On the occasion of renouncing the
world one used to take formal permission of the relations as well as the
servants (3. 135: 5. 57).
