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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SOCIAL CONDITIONS 389 and mental powers. On the other hand misconduct and moral vices
are discouraged by associating with them the fear of hellish existence,
sufferings and physical debilities. These elements awaken people to
develop their divine and virtuous qualities and guide them to subdue
their evil and devilish inclinations. Thus the central idea behind
these elements is to fortify religion and general morality of people.
These elements can be dealt under four different heads viz :
A. Supernatural beings and their abodes.
B.
Supernatural elements associated with the 63 illustrious
persons of the Jaina faith.
C. Supernatural occurrences effecting day to day life of the
people and
D. Superhuman powers of munis and ordinary persons.
A. Supernatural Beings
Supernatural beings are said to be of two kinds viz. the infernal
or hellish beings and the heavenly beings.
Hellish Beings -The Paumacariya峁� states that wrong conduct,
killing of living beings (26.58), non-observance of vows (vratas),
addiction to greediness (75.46;102.74) and the taking of honey, meat
and wine (26.58) cause the souls to trasmigrate into the hellish regions.
These causes can be corroborated by the TP which deals with them in
detail (2.293-301; 2.356-66).
The hellish regions are told to be seven in number namely,
Ratnaprabha, 艢arkar, B膩luk膩, Pa峁卥a, Dh奴ma, Tama and Mah膩tama-
Prabh膩 (26.43-44; 75.47) which are situated below the Meru mountain
(26.42) or in the middle world, one under the other in the Adholaka
or the lower world of the Universe (102.64-66). This is the traditional
account of the number and the situation of the Narakas. The PCV
further informs us about the layers (patalas 102.69) and abodes (bilas
75.48; 102.67-68) in these Narakas and the age of the beings of each
Naraka loka (102.83). It is a traditional account.
These hellish abodes are said to be completely dark and devoid of
any sun or moon. They smell very filthy and are unagreeable to the
sense of touch (24.66). Those who are born in these regions constantly
suffer from the tortures of fire, thorns, weapons and mechanical devices.
Crows and vultures prick their bodies. Their limbs are maimed.
Severe cold, burning heat, thirst and hunger make their life miserable.
They are boiled in couldrons. Whenever they run to the Vaitara峁嚹�
river to quench their thirst they find that it is full of blood, marrow,
