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 432 of: Paumacariya (critical study)
432 (of 671)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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SOCIAL CONDITIONS. 403 13) or Vetāli (47.43) Vidya assumed the form of Sugrīva to establish
sexual relations with the latter's wife. This incident forced Sugrīva to
seek the help of Rama and Lakṣmaṇa. Thus Sugrīva became a strong
and prominent ally of Rama and helped the latter in rescuing Sītā
from the clutches of Rāvana. It was with the help of the Avalokanī
Vidya that Rāvaṇa could ascertain the identity of Rama, Lakṣmaṇa
and Sītā in the Daṇḍakāraṇya and then he could also know Lakṣmaṇa's
secret signal of a lion's roar. By the help of that signal he managed to
kidnap Sītā (44.22-39), Sītā-haraṇa is the main incident of the theme
of the Rama-story. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa by the help of their
Simhavahini and Garuda Vidyās got Bhāmaṇḍala and Sugrīva released
from the captivity of Rāvaṇa (59.84; 60.2). Rāvaṇa created many
heads and limbs on his person by the help of Bahurūpā mahāvidyā as a
result of which Lakṣmaṇa, for some time remained unsuccessful in
slaying Rāvaṇa (72.15-24).
