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鈥檚 version.
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INTERVENING STORIES 147 renouncing the world. He bowed to Bahubali and returned to
S膩ketapuri. B膩hubali performed meditation in the standing posture
and duly attained salvation.
The Utlaradhyayana (18. 34), the Jambudvipapraj帽apti (3.41.71)
and the Tiloyapan峁嘺tti (4. 515) mention Bharata as the first
Cakravartin.
The Vasudevahi峁囜笉墨 (I. p. 187) agrees with the PCV and adds that
Bharata before the commencement of the duels had sent his envoy
asking Bahubalto accept his sovereignty. Bahubali was very proud
of himself hence he was not attaining Kevala. It was his sister Br膩hm墨
who reminded and helped him in controlling his passion. The
膧va艣yakac奴r峁嚹� (I. p. 210) adds wordy duel and boxing. It mentions
the efforts of both Brahmi and Sundari in helping Bahubali to control
his passion.
The PCR (4. 67-78) mentions that B盲hubali ruled at Pautanapura.
It does not refer to the efforts of Bharata in dissuading B膩hubali from
accepting monkhood. It adds that during the period of his meditation
some creepers coiled round and an ant-hill grew around the body of
Bahubali. Many venomous snakes also surrounded him. The PCS
(ch. 4) refers to Bharata's sending, of an envoy to Bahubali.
It adds water-duel to those mentioned in the PCR and states that the
duels were arranged by their ministers. Here Bharata helps in sub-
duing the passion of Bahubali. The HVPJ (11.77-102) agrees with
the PCS. The AP (26), the MP (12.17) and the RPS (p.6) also men-
tion three duels. The TSP (I.p. 274) refers to the sending of an
envoy. It (I.p. 312) adds a voice-fight to those referred to in the PCV.
It states that the gods had arranged the duels and mentions both the
sisters.
In the Bh膩gavatapur膩峁嘺 (5.7f), Bharata is mentioned as the son
of Rsabhadeva, an incarnation of Vis峁噓. But the story does not agree
with the Jaina tradition. After his name the country came to be known
as Bh膩ratavar峁鹿 (5.7.3). At 9.20 another Bharata is mentioned as
a Cakravartin who was the son of Dusyanta born of 艢akuntal膩. He
belonged to the Puruva峁僺a. He performed many sacrifices and
gave presents to Brahmins.
9. Death of the son of Sagara :
The story is narrated by Gautama after relating the establishing
of Meghav膩hana as the first lord of Lank膩puri and the emancipation
of Ajitasv膩min, the second Tirthankara (5.168-203).
1. See Visnupur膩峁嘺, 2.1.32.
