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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INTRODUCTION- 17 The character of the language reflects the middle stage of the Middle-
Indo-Aryan. In the light of the above evidences the genuineness of the
date mentioned in the Prasasti of Paumacariya峁� becomes doubtful.
I am tempted to suggest that the date mentioned, really may belong
to the K峁泃a or Vikrama Era which was converted into Nirv膩峁嘺 era by
mistake* or even may be deliberately. Thus the correct date of Pauma-
cariyam鹿 come to (530-57 = 473 A.D.).
*
A parallel to such a mistake can be quoted from the Jaina tradition. The
date of the fall of Vallabhi empire is given as 845 V. S. in the Vividhat墨rtha-
kalpa (p. 29), whereas the Prabandhako艣a (p. 74) refers to 845 A. V. and the
former is the correct date (see Maitraka K膩l墨na Gujar膩ta by H. G. Shastri
Pt. I, p. 157 ff.).
"
1. Readers are also referred to my article, New Light on the Date of Paumacariya峁�,
Journal of the Oriental Institute Baroda, Vol. XIII, No. 4, pp. 378-368,
2 "
