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.
Page 380 of: Paumacariya (critical study)
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SOCIAL CONDITIONS 351 perfumery and modelling of leaves; sciences-arithmetic, domestic,
prognosticating and distinguishing of gems, flowers, elephants and
horses; and many other secular subjects and arts (24.4-8). Being
a K峁triya girl she must have obtained training in military science
otherwise how could have she been able to drive the war-chariot
of Dasaratha (24.25). One more example of a girl trained in military
science is of queen Simhik膩 who courageously fought and
defeated the invaders (22.59). All these references at least suggest
that girls were not neglected totally but were suitably educated and
trained. It is not that only the princesses were favoured with educa-
tion. The above quoted example of a foster-mother who was 'savvattha-
satthakusal膩 indicates that girls other than the princesses, presumably
of other classes were duly educated. S墨t膩's dance recital before
some monks (39.32), Gandharv墨 Citram膩l膩's musical recital to console
A帽jan膩 in the forest (17.85), the musical and dance recitals by the
daughters of Sugr墨va to please ditstressed R膩ma (48.1) and the
musical and dance-performances by the wives of Lak峁a峁嘺 (110.16-
18) sufficiently prove that it was customany to train girls in the art
of music and dance. Kaikeyi's educational qualifications indicate
that as far as possible a variety of subjects were taught and manifold
training was given to the girls. It must have depended upon the
parents as to what training and education should be given to their
daughters. viz. pertaining to literature or arts or sciences or profession
To attain all that, girls are expected to have enjoyed freedom of
movement and their education might have lasted for a considerable
the house of
period of years. Princess Atisundara's going to
her teacher, her co-study there with the son of a Purohita, the
development of mutual love between them and finally their elope-
ment all these things tell us that the girls did not remain closed
in the houses and they received education up to a considerable age
i. e. up to the age of their marriage.
That the girls were suitably educated can be carroborated
by other evidences. The Jaina Kalpas奴tra (Su. 209) refers to 64
subjects of study which were thought to the girls. The Brahmanical
Apastamba Grhya Sutra鹿 states that women were provided with
instructions in all the branches of studies. References to Kausalya'
and T膩r膩鲁 as Mantravit while Draupadi as Pandita show that
1.
11:19.12-Vide Indra.
2. VR, 2.20.15.
3. VR, (Ki峁�.), 16.12.
4. MB, 3.27,2,
