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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ECONOMIC, POLITICAL & RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS 469 successively. The last one was the Akṣauhiṇ� which was ten times
larger than the Anīkini. Thus an Akṣauhini consisted of 21870
elephants, 21870 chariots, 65610 horses and 109350 infantry soldiers.
The MB (Adi, 2. 19-27) corroborates this strength of an Akṣauhiṇ�
but it mentions Senāmukha, Gulma and Gaṇa in places of Senā,
Senāmukha and Gulma of the PCV respectively.
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Implements of War:-The war implemets were of two kinds,
offensive and defensive. Offensive weapon is called auha-ayudha
(71. 2) and paharana praharana (8.9). It is also referred to as a
sattha (sastra) or a attha (astra) respectively. The Sukranīti (4.1024f)
explains that an astra was thrown or cast down by means of charms
machines or fire while a sastra was any other weapon like sword,
dagger, etc. The PCV does not make any such distinction between the
two kinds of offensive weapons. (12.126-127; 58.60,62;71.61).
Various offensive weapons mentioned in the PCV are as follows:-
Dhanu (12.84) also called Sarāsana (61.66) is the bow. Cāva
(capa) is the bow made of a kind of wood called Capa.¹ Sara (59.19
śara) or Bāṇa (7.25) is the arrow. Ardhacandra (53.115) is the crescent
arrow. Khuruppa (59.19 Kṣurapra) is a kind of arrow with its point
like the blade of a razor³. Sella (7.26) is also a kind of arrow³. Tonira
(24.30 Tūnīra) is the quiver. Asi (10.56) or Karavāla (12.111)
is the sword. Asilaṭṭhi (3.147 Asiyaṣṭi) is a very sharp and long
sword. Khagga (6.192 Khaḍaga) is a sword 25 or 50 angulas in length 5.
Vasunandaka (70.67) is the best type of sword. Churiya (61.38 Kṣurika)
is the dagger or a battle knife. Parasu (12.101 Paraśu) is the battle-axe or
scymitar semicircular in shape Kuṭhāra (72.34) or Kuhāḍa (99.24)
is a kind of axe. Karavatta (69.45 Karapatra) is saw. Kappa (9.73)
may be a razor like weapon. Paṭṭisa (53.109 Patṭiśa) is a razor like
weapon shaped like a trident at both ends. Sula (12.111) is a pike.
Sūlaratna (12.7) is the best type of pike which when thrown can
traverse a very long distance. Triśūla (53.109) is a trident. It posses-
ses three blades branched off like a fork. Satti (10.56 Sakti) is explained
as a metallic weapon four cubits in length like the leaf of Karavīra
1. Kaut, 2.18, 9.
2. IK, p. 16�.
3, Desināmamālā, 8.57,
4. Shama, p. 111.
5. Vārāhīvṛhatsaṃhtā, 50. 1.
6. Kappa may be the Karpana of Kautilya which is explained as an arrow to
be thrown by the hand (Shāma, p.111).
7. Ibid, p. 111.
