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.
Page 69 of: Paumacariya (critical study)
69 (of 671)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
40
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYA�
lokadāyaka viśrāma'),¹ Lakṣmaṇa on account of his being a repository
of multifold qualities (lacchana dhāma²), Bharata as he is the main-
tainer of the world (bisva bharana poṣana kana joĩ) and Satrughna
as such for the recitation of his name is enough for annihilating the
enemies (jāke sumarinate ripu nāsā). As regards the complexion of
Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, the date of birth of the former and their senior-
ity, the TR agrees with the VR. Rāma is described as 'syāma'
(1.198.3), 'Nīlakañja bārida gambhira (1.199) and Lakṣmaṇa as
‘gaura' (1.198.3), ‘dāminī barana Lakhana' (2.115.4). Satrughna is
called younger than Lakṣmaṇa (2.164), Lakṣmaṇa younger than
Bharata (2.200) and Bharata younger than Rāma (2.194).
The Raghuvamsa agrees with the VR and states that Rāma was
named so on account of his charming body (abhirāmeṇa vapuṣ� 10.67).
In the Padmapurāṇa³, Rāma is named as such for his 'tribhuvanābhirā-
mataya', Lakṣmaṇa because of his 'rupasauryādilakṣmiyogyatayā',
Bharata on account of his 'bhuva� bhārāttāryatīti' and Satrughna
because of his 'Satrūnhantīti'. The Adh. Rām. agrees with the Padma-
buraṇa, but Lakṣmaṇa is said to be named so for his 'lakṣaṇānvitam'
just as mentioned in the TR and PCV.
As regards the seniority of Bharata and Lakṣmaṇa there is no
agreement in the Brahmanical works. At one place even in the
Southern recension of VR, Lakṣmaṇa seems to be elder than Bharata
for the latter salutes the former with reverence (6.127.414). The
Gauḍīya version of VR mentions Bharata as a younger brother of
Lakṣmaṇa. In the Pratimā Nāṭaka Bharata addresses Lakṣmaṇa with
reverence and salutes him. Sumantra clearly calls Bharata as an
‘anuja' of Lakṣmaṇa. In the Purāṇas the order in which they are
mentioned shows that Lakṣmaṇa is elder than Bharata.
In the Dasaratha Jataka Bharata is younger that Lakṣmaṇa. It
does not mention any fourth son of Dasaratha.
According to the Dasaratha Kathānam, Bharata and Satrughna
born of the third and the fourth queen of Dasaratha. In the Serī Rāma
Bharata and Satrughna are uterine brothers (Bulcke, p.280).
1. In the VR lokarāma is the adjective of Roma 1.18.29.
2. Compare with the �'lakhaṇesu uvaveo, of the PCV (25.11).
3. Pātālakhanda. Ch. 112,
4. But the Tilaka commentary explains that Bharata is elder.
5. Bulcke. p,280.
6. IV. 9f.
7. Viṣṇu. Pu, 4.4.87, Bhāgavata Pu, 9.1.9; Padma Pu, Pätāla. ch. 112.
