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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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26
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYA�
some Dānava in the disguise of Sugrīva wants to establish sexual rela-
tions with Sutārā, the wife of Sugrīva. He further continues that Hanu's
help was sought to chase away the sham Sugrīva, but he was in a fix
for he could not recognise the real Sugrīva. He further implores
Rama's help. Rāma agrees to help Sugrīva and the latter reciprocates
with a promise to find out Sītā as soon as possible. All of them then go
to Kiṣkindhipura. In the first duel between both the Sugrīvas, the
real one is overpowered because Rama could not distinguish between.
the real and the sham. During the next duel as soon as Rāma appears
on the scene, the sham Sugrīva loses his lore and appears in the real
figure of Sāhasagati.
Rāma kills nim with his arrows and restores
Sutārā to Sugrīva. Then the daughters of Sugrīva try to please Rāma
but Rāma in separation of Sīta does not find any pleasure with them
and passes time in grief.
48. Sugrīva forgets his promise in merriment with his wife.
Lakṣmaṇa rebukes Sugrīva and makes him alert on his duty. The
latter now sends his soldiers in all the quarters and an envoy to
Bhāmaṇḍala with a letter from Rāma. He also goes in search of Sita.
He meets Ratnajaṭin on the Kambudvipa and takes him to Rama.
Ratnajaṭin informs Rāma that Sītā has been kidnapped by Rāvāṇa.
All the Vānaras get stupefied hearing the name of Rāvaṇa and express
their disinclination at withstanding the powerful forces of Rāvaṇa.
When Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa encourage them, Jambūnada informs Rāma
of the prophecy made by monk Anantavirya that one who lifts up the
Koṭiśila will be the slayer of Rāvaṇa. Lakṣmaṇa immediately
goes to Sindhudeśa, raises up the proposed slab and comes back.
49. Hanu is called to Kiṣkindhipura and appointed for persuad-
ing Rāvana to release Sītā. Rāma gives him his finger-ring to be
handed over to Sītā and asks him to bring her braid-jewel. Hanu
departs from there with a band of warriors.
50. On his way he overpowers his maternal grandfather, Mahen-
drarajan, the king of Mahendranagara to take revenge of his mother's
banishment by the latter.
51. At the advice of Hanu, Mahendrarājan along with his wife
and son, Pratisūrya goes to Rāma and meets his daughter, Añjanā, the
mother of Hanu. Hanu proceeds further and meets Gandharva, the
king of Dadhimukha island and informs him about the death of
Sāhasagati. Gandharva takes his daughters to marry them to the killer
of Sahasagati as fore-told by a sooth-sayer.

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