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...
25. The previous birth of Sagara
[Full title: Didactic stories; (A) Religious cum Moral Stories; (25) The previous birth of Sagara or the story of Rambhaka]
Sagara had helped Sahasranayana in attacking Purnaghana so he further asked as to what was the cause of his sympathy for Sahasranayana. Then Ajitanatha narrated the story (5.112-119) illustrating the good results of having sympathy and love for others. Rambhaka became a celestial being on account of the offerings made to a monk. He was reborn successively as prince Vakrakirti at Candrapura, a celestial being and then as the son of Candramati and Mahaghosa of Ratnasancayapura in Aparavideha. He renounced the world and was reborn as a celestial being in the Pranata Kalpa, and thereafter as Yasaskirti, the son of Yasodhara and Jaya in Prthvipura. He renounced the world and was reborn in the Vijaya heaven. From there he was reborn as Sagara. As Avaliya was very dear to Rambhaka so Sahasranayana was to Sagara. The Paumacariya (5.134-140) names the parents of Vakrakirti as Hari and Dharadevi. According to the Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. (p. 15) Sankhika (Rambhaka) was first reborn in Devakuru and then as a celestial being. Vakrakirti is named Vratakirti and Yasaskirti as Jayakirti. The Trishashti Shalaka Purusha-caritra (II. p. 165) mentions that Rambhaka passed through various good existences and was reborn as Sagara.