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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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYA峁�
additional garment for women. Men and women both were very fond
of ornaments of head, neck, ears, arms, fingers and waist. Besides,
ornaments of ankle were worn by the women.
Toilet: Various powders, unguents, pastes and perfumes were
used in bath and toilet. Hair dressing was an important part of
decoration. Flowers and saffron were very commonly used, specially
by women.
Arts: Among the fine arts music, dance and drama were very
popular. They were cultivated and well patronised by the royal and
the noble families. Playing on the V墨峁嚹� was very common. Various
kinds of instruments were played on social, religious and political
occasions. Dance and music were very popular with the royal and noble
ladies. Artists and professionals provided entertainment to the public
in general. There were regular prek峁Ｄ乬rahas (theatres) for the per-
formance of music, dance and drama.
Other fine arts which were commonly patronised, were drawing,
painting, terracota and plastic. Pictures of human beings and animals
were drawn and shaded with colours. Portraits played an important
part in arranging marital alliances. Land-scape painting was also
prevalent. Palaces and temples were decorated with cloth paintings.
Royal mansions were furnished with clay and lac modellings of animals
and human beings. Sculpture had reached an advanced stage. Idols
of Jinas, some surprisingly small while others sufficiently big were
carved out of jewels, gold and stones. Even finger rings were set with
images of Jinas.
Towns and Buildings :-We find a picture of systematic town
planning with bazaras and mansions, palaces and buildings. roads and
streets, gardens and pleasure resorts, and fortifications and gates. Buildi-
ngs as high as eight storied with separate quarters, rooms, courtyards,
windows and spires have been referred to. Royal palace was set with
various rooms for the household as well as for the administrative
purpose. Special gallaries were constructed on the occasion of any
public show. Costly articles of furniture for lying down and sitting on
were used by the rich and the noble. Articles of decoration such as
flags, canopies, festoons, strings of pearls, metal designs etc. are
referred to.
Conditions of Life :-The noble and the rich lived a happy and
luxurious life, but people at the lower strata of the society led a miser-
able life. Generally there was peace but occasional battles and wars
and epidemics tormented the social life. The bulk of the population.
lived on agriculture and animal husbandry. Small industries like
