Paumacariya (critical study)
by K. R. Chandra | 1970 | 238,015 words
This is an English 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, contrast...
12. Vairabahu鈥檚 renunciation
[Full title: Informative stories; (B) Legendary Kings of the Ikshvaku-vamsha; (12) Vairabahu鈥檚 renunciation]
After having described the life of Munisuvratanatha and the birth of Janaka, Gautama while enumerating the kings of the Iksvakuvamsa narrates to Srenika the following episodes and stories of Dasaratha (21.41 to 22.95). ' associated with the ancestors 12. Vairabahu's renunciation : During the congregation of Munisuvratanatha, Vijaya, the ruler of Saketapuri had two sons, Vajrabahu and Purandara begot on his wife Himacula, Vajrabahu married Manohara, the daughter of king Bahuvahana and Cudamani, of Nagapura. When Vajrabahu was returning home after his marriage, his brother-in-law, Udayasundara jokingly asked the former looking at a monk meditating on a hillock whether he intended to become a monk. At this Vajrabahu instantly accepted asceticism. Consequently Manohara also became a nun. When Vijaya knew of it, he enthroned Purandara and himself became a monk (21.4 p-77). The Paumacariya (21.73.139) agrees with the episode but it mentions Surendramanyu and Kirtisama as the parents of Vajrabahu and Purandara. Vijaya and Hemaculini are their grandparents. The name of the wife of Vajrabahu is Manodaya and her father's name is Ibhavahana. Here Udayasundara is taking back his sister along with he husband to his home town and Vijaya and Surendramanyu both renounce the world. The Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. (p.81) agrees with the Paumacariya It names
INTERVENING STORIES 153 Manohara as Carvi and her father as Hastibahu of Hastinagapura. The Trishashti Shalaka Purusha-caritra (IV. p. 182) follows the Paumacariya It calls Manohara as Manorama and her father as Ibhavahana.