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...
10.3. A Note on the Previous Birth Stories
[Full title: Influence of Paumacariyam; (B) Influence on Non-Jaina Works; (3) A Note on the Previous Birth Stories of Dasaratha, Rama and Ravana]
Previous birth stories of Dasaratha, Rama, Ravana and Vibhisana do not find place in the Valmiki Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Puranas and subsequent Brahmanical works on Rama-story contain stories of their previous births. All these works are later than the Paumacariyam which systematically deals with their previous births (Supra, Ch. 4). Though Brahmanical works contain independent stories yet the indirect influence of the tradition of Paumacariyam can be presumably seen on the Brahmanical works as in the line with the Paumacariyam explain the causes of Dasaratha's fortune, Rama's separation from Sita, kidnapping of Sita by Ravana and Vibhisana's good character. Previous Birth of Dasaratha:-For the first time the Skandapurana (Vaisnavakhanda, Ch. 24) narrates that Brahmin Dharmadatta on account of his devotion to Visnu was reborn as Dasaratha (Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition)., p. 274). The Ananda Ramayana also contains this story (1.4.117 to 1.5.28). The Adhyatma Ramayana (1.2.25 and 1.4.14) and the Ramcharitmanas (1.186.3) narrate that Kasyapa on account of his penances was reborn as Dasaratha. The Padmapurana (Uttarakhanda, Ch. 246) and the Ramarahasya (canto 1; Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition)., p. 274) as well as the Ramcharitmanas (1.141) narrate that Svayambhu Manu was reborn as Dasaratha. Kidnapping of Sita by a Raksasa and her Separation from Rama: The episode of the curse cast on Visnu by Bhrgu is found in the Brahmanda, (Ch. 73), Vayu (Ch. 97) and Matsya (Ch. 47) Puranas ranging from the 4th cent. A. D. to 6th century A. D. (Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition)., p. 274) but therein Rama, Sita and Ravana are 'not connected. The same episode is narrated in the Southern version of Valmiki Ramayana (Uttara, 51. 12- 18) Here Bhrgu cursed Visnu to suffer separation from his wife, but still the abduction of his wife by any Raksasa is not referred to. It is in the Skandapurana of the 9th century A.D. (Vaisnavakhanda, Ch. 20-21) that 20
306 A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM the Raksasas are introduced. It narrates that Visnu once with the help of Jaya and Vijaya beguiled the chastity of Vrnda, the wife of Daitya Jalandhara. Then Vrnda cursed Visnu to be reborn as a human being and suffer separation from his wife who would be kidnapped by Jaya and Vijaya in the form of the Raksasas. This story is found in the Sivamahapurana also (Rudrasamhita- Yuddhakhanda, Ch. 23; Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition)., p. 275). The Ananda Ramayana (1. 4. 82-110) also narrates this episode. We find further development in the Ramcharitmanas (I. 122. 139). It mentions that Jalandhara was reborn as Ravana and on account of his previous enmity with Visnu he abducted the wife of Rama. One other episode is narrated in the Sivamahapurana (Rudrasamhita- Srstikhanda, Ch. 3-4). Narada wanted to marry a particular girl but Visnu contrived to marry her. Then Narada cursed Visnu to suffer separation from his wife and cursed two attendants of Siva who had laughed at him to be reborn as Ravana and Kumbhakarna (Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition)., p. 276). The Ramcharitmanas (I. 122-139) also contains this episode. The Ramcharitmanas additionally introduces the previous birth of Vibhisana in the story of Pratapabhanu (Supra, Ch. 4. story No. 52).