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 454 of: Paumacariya (critical study)
454 (of 671)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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EDUCATION AND ARCHITECTURE 425 :
Reptiles -The snake (Sappa-Sarpa 3.46) is called Uraga (28.106)
or Mahoraga (14. 18), Nāga (39. 16), Ahi (48.22), Pannaya= Pannaga
(28. 108), Bhuyanga (Bhujaṅga 41. 23). Ghoṇasa = Ghonasa (39.17),
a kind of serpent is mentioned to be found in the hilly region. The
Ayagara Ajagara (63. 54) a huge snake used to devour even the
human beings. The Asīvisa=Āśiviṣa (70. 16), and Visahara � Viṣadhara
(50.13) denote the venomous character of reptiles.
་་
Other small creatures which are mentioned in the PCV are
scorpion Viñchi (Vṛścika 39.17), the bigh lizard (Gohera-Godhera
58. 92) and the mungoose (Naula-Nakula 96. 14).
Acquatic Animals :-The
common sites of these creatures were
the ocean,
lakes and rivers. The Indian ocean (Mahāsamudda)
and the Gambhīrā river abounded in the rapacious marine animals
(Gäha Graha 6. 37; 32. 11). The Indian ocean (Lavaṇa-jala) is
further referred to be abounding in fishes (Jhasa=Jhaṣa), sea
nonsters (Mayara = Makara) and tortoises (Kacchaha). The water
elephant (Jala-hatthi) hastin is referred to be creating nuisance in
the Narmadā. The toroise is called Kumma (Kurma 2. 18).
The Dolphin (Simsumāra = Śiśumāra 14. 17; 82. 42) and the
small fish (Mīṇa-Mina 17. 114) are also referred to. The Timi
(14. 17) is a kind of Whale or a fabulous fish
a fabulous fish
of enormous size.
Besides them the Jalavāha (a watery insect 88.6) and Jalūga, the
leech (1. 24) are referred to. Tantuya=Tantuka (14. 17) is an aquatic
serpent. The bony-covers of some acquatic insects are mentioned.
They are the conch-shell (Sankha-Sankha 8. 259), snail-shell (Sippi=
Sukti 8. 259 or sutti 1. 24) and the oyster-shell (Sambukka = Śambūka
1. 24). The jumping frog could be seen (Daddura-Dardura 82. 38)
cropping up in the rainy season (29. 43) at various places.
Birds The woodlands, gardens and watery-places were the
common sites where a variety of birds could be seen.
The Peaocock is called Mora (Mayūra 82. 38), Maūra (29. 34)
or Barahiṇa (Barbin 28.20) and the cuckoo as Koila-Kokila (15.28).
Vappiha? (100.110) or Cātaka is also a kind of cuckoo. The parrot is called
Suga (100. 58). Allusions to the taming of birds (pakkhi va pañjarattho
11.84) and to the Indian falcon or hawk (Seṇa = Syena 8. 79) are made.
The vulture (Giddha) is referred to as the consumer of flesh (22. 84)
and hovering over the dead bodies lying in the battlefield (71. 26).
The Garuda (Jaḍāgī=Jaṭāyu 44. 44, Jaṭāu 40. 40) is a fabulous and
mythical bird but here the Giddha and the Garuda are identical. It is
called the king of birds (Pakkhiṇāṇa rāyā 14. 104) and the enemy of
