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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COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RĀMA-STORY 49 p. 287) refer to this battle. The Maithili Kalyāṇa� (5.38-45), a Jaina
work states that the disgruntled candidates make a row but then submit
to Rāma. The Ananda Rāmāyāṇa (1.4.20-45) states that the unsuccess-
ful candidates (1.3.165-168) attacked Rāma and his father when they
were returning from Mithila, on the occasion of Dipāvalī.
According to the PCR, Lakṣmaṇa strings the other bow 'Sāgarā-
The TSP
varta' (28.247). The PCS and the RPS follow the PCR.
(IV. 204) follows the PCR and further mentions that Sītā puts the
'svayamvara' garland round Rama's neck. Dasaratha is said to have
come there on the occasion of Rama's marriage.
In the UP there is no reference to the 'svayaṃvara' ceremony
and the bow. Janaka had invited Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa with a pro-
mise to marry Sītā to Rāma, if they protected his yajña from being
disturbed by Rāvana and the Rākṣasas (67.169). In the presence of
many kings the yajña was accomplished and Sita was married to
Rāma. The MP follows the UP and further mentions that Rāma
strung his bow to warn the enemies (70.13).
F. Marriage of Rāma and his Brothers :
According to the PCV at the prospects of Rāma and Lakṣmana,
She with the help of
Bharata gets dejected. Kaikeyī apprehends it.
Dasaratha gets another 'svayamvara' arranged specially for Subhadra,
the daughter of Kanaka. She selects Bharata.
marry Sīta and Subhadrā respectively,
(28.125-140) along with their wives.
Rāma and Bharata
and return to Ayodhya
According to the VR Sītā is married to Rāma and Urmila to
Lakṣmaṇa (1.71.21). Māṇḍavi and Śrutakīrti. the daughters of Kusa-
dhvaja are married to Bharata and Satrughna respectively (1.73).
The TR follows the VR.
The PCR agrees with the PCV (28.261). The Vasudeva hiṇḍī merely
alludes to the marriage of other brothers. According to the PCS Śaśivar-
dhana marries his eight daughters to Lakṣmaṇa and other ten daughters
to Bharata and Satrughna. Here Visalya,¹ the daughter of Droṇa is
married to Lakṣmaṇa (PCS, 21.14). The TSP (IV.204) agrees with
the PCV.
The UP and the MP do not refer to the marriages of other
brothers at Mithila. It is stated that Dasaratha marries seven girls to
1. According to the PCV Visalya marries (64,45) Laksmana after curing
(64.45) him in the battle field.
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