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...
39. The previous birth of the Mleccha Senapati
[Full title: Didactic stories; (A) Religious cum Moral Stories; (39) The previous birth of the Mleccha Senapati or the story of two Farmer Brothers and a Bird]
Padma (Rama) having listened to the preceding story requested Desabhusana to tell him the reason that led to the rescue of the Senapati by the two monks (Udita and Mudita) from the tortures of the Mleccha. Then the monk narrated the story (39.67-72) elucidating the fruits of saving one's life. Two farmer brothers once purchased a bird from a fowler and saved its life. She was to be killed by the fowler for his food. That bird was reborn as the chief of the Mlecchas and those two farmers Udita and Mudita. The Paumacariya (39. 136-143) names the two brothers as Surapa and Karsaka and not as two farmers.1 The Paumacariu (33. 1) follows the Paumacariya It mentions the Mlecchaddhipati as Bhillaraja. The Trishashti Shalaka Purusha-caritra (IV. p. 334) refers to a deer in place of the bird. The Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. (p. 113) follows the Paumacariya and the Trishashti Shalaka Purusha-caritra both.