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’s version.
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EDUCATION AND ARCHITECTURE 427 the Alankara-vidhi consisted of (1) clothing, (2) ornamentation, (3)
hair-dressing and (4) the use of flowers.
Clothing: The clothing is denoted by 'Vattha'-Vastra (3.135;
64.10), Ambara (49.20), Kappada-Karpaṭa (25.18) and Celiya
(99.25).
The dress is indicated by Parihāṇa Paridhāna (25.18; 30.64),
Vesa, Vasa Vesa (34 23; 3.122) and 'Nevattha'-Nepathya (94.30.)
The fabrics referred to are 'Khomaya'-Kṣauma, Dugulla=
Duküla, Vālaya-Bālaja. Cīṇaṃsuya = Cīnāṃsuka and Paṭṭa (102.121).
The Ksauma is linen³. The Dukula is made of the tissues of the
inner bark of the Dukūla plant. It is also called as a particular type
of cloth of the Gauḍa country. The Bālaja is a hairy fabric made of
wool or hairs of camel, deer, mouse or other animals. The Cīnāmsuka
is the China-silk and the Paṭala is a particular cloth which is interwoven
with golden threads (tissues). The Patta is also called as Divyāṃśuka
(Divvaṃsuya 3.99). There are various references to Aṃśuka
(Amsuya 16.4; 68.30; Thaṇaṃsuya 68.40). The Patta and the
Amsuka are described as Kīṭaja i. e. the varieties of silk made from
insects. There is a reference to Tūla (Tūlinisaṇṇadga 35.24). It is
called the fibre of Arka plant or Salmali tree or cotton. The
needle is denoted by Sui=Suci (1.13) and the thread by Dora
(8.108).
The bark and leaves of the trees as well as the grass were also
used for covering the body. Recluses are referred to be using them
(vakkalacīvaro-kusapattaniyaṃsaṇa 3.143). In the Buddhist literature
Civara denoted the robe of the Bhiksus, which was made of stitched
rags. Here also it may mean the robe prepared of bark or the tattered
cloth. The barbarians namely the Kīrātas and the Sabaras called as
Mlecchas or Ardhabarbaras (275, 7-8) are mentioned to be putting
on bark and leaves (Vakkalapattaniyacchā 27. 33) on their bodies.
Dyed clothes were in use. There are references to white
(seyaṃbara 66.30, siyaṃbara 10.46), yellow (piyambara 49.20) blue
(nila 3.122) and redochre (kasāya 39.110) clothes. There is a single
reference to a Jaina monk robed in white garments (22. 78). Nun
1. Abhidhana Rajendra Kosa,
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Anuyoga, 37. vihe LAI, p. 129,
5. Abhidhana Rajendra Koṣa.
6. MWSED.
