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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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYA�
To get the treasures of the world but to lose one's eyes (15.86;
26.80). A diamond dropped in the sea (is not to be regained 14.106;
45.34). To dig well when the house is on fire (5.239; 86.60). (See
4.50; 103.110; 111.112; 118.107 already referred to in the preceding
lines).
CONCLUSION
On the basis of the above analysis we may conclude that in the
PCV there are the lingering traits of the Puranic style and the embers
of the Agama style are dying out. The figures of speech specially those
other than the similes, metaphors and onomatopoeia are in their rudi-
mentary stage. Even in the similes and metaphors the poet is mostly
conventional, but he has decidedly excelled in bringing out onomato-
poeic effects. His claim 'visuddhalaliyakkharaheujutta�' (118.101) is
quite justified. The Rasas frequently have failed to reach the culmina-
tion which they attain in the ornate works of classical age. The poet
has not followed the style of the classical ornate poetry, rather he has
deliberately adhered to the popular style so that he might catch the
attention of the general people.
are
elements
such
of MahÄkÄvya
as
The work does not fulfil all the requirements of a MahÄkÄvya
in so far as subject matter of the story has not become subservient to
form i.e. long descriptions of nature and sentiments, but there
the theme being that
of a Puranic hero, charming descriptions of nature and human world,
planning into systematic cantos, 'stuti' in the beginning, ‘Āśīrvacana'
at the end of the work and the change of metre at the close of
every canto.
Thus, Vimalasūri was the first author among the Jainas, who
presented a Puranic narrative into the charming poetic style.
