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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512
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYA�
Provinces. The PCV mentions them as occupying the region falling
to the south of Narmadā. It seems that their activities were spread
over the south-west region of Narsimhapura also. Thus the Kākas and
Kākonadas or Kāgonandas seem to be identical people.
Tapi Proceeding further Rama crosses the Vindhya forest and
reaches the region where the river Tapi was flowing (Vinjha�
aikkameūṇa pāviyā visaya� majjheṇa vahai Tāvī 85.1). The Tāpī
river is well-known. It flows in the south along the Satpura hills.
Aruṇagrama: Rama further goes to Aruṇagrāma (35.5) but there
he is insulted by Brahmin Kapila, hence he proceeds further and
sojourns in the jungle. (Not indentified).
Ramapuri: There in the jungle a Yakṣa is said to have conjured
up Rāmapurī for the temporary sojourn of Rāma (35.36). Kālidāsa
mentions that a Yakṣa sent his message from Rāmagiri. He also states
that Ramagiri was rendered sacred by Rama and Sītā². Therefore in
our opinion Rāmapuri of the PCV can be identified with Ramtek
(Ramagiri) of Nagpur district, situated 24 miles north of Nagpur
(HGAI p. 328). That place is at a distance from the Tapti and PCV
does not mention that the Tapti was crossed by Rāma. It says that it
flowed in that region nearby (Majjheṇa vahai) and it may mean the
basin of the Tapti.
Vijayapura: Proceeding further Rāma reaches Vijayapura (36.7).
Lakṣmaṇa here marries the princess Vanamālā, daughter of king
Mahidhara of that town. The PCR (36.11) calls it Vaijayantapura.
The VR (2.9.12) says that Vaijayantapura was situated in the south
towards the Daṇḍakāraṇya (Daṇḍakānprati). One Vijayapuri is
said to have existed in the valley of the Nāgārjunīkoṇḍa hills.
It was the capital of the Ikṣvākus of the far south.3 Other Vijayanti,
the capital of Kādambas, is identified with Vanavāsī in the Kannara
district. But both the places fall at a very great distance from Rāma's
immediate journey. The PCS (29. 1) mentions its name as Jivantapura
and further states that Rāma leaves it behind and reaches the river
Godāvarī (Golā ṇai 31. 3. 2). Thus it indicates that Vijayapura was
situated to the north of Godāvarī.
Nandyavartapura:-While staying at Vijayapura, Rama receives
news of the attack of Mahārāja Ativîrya on Bharata, the former trying
1. TAI, p.95.
2. See IK, p. 10.
3. VGA, p. 60.
4. Ibid. p. 405.
