Paumacariya, Paumacariyaṃ, Paumacariyam, Pauma-cariya: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Paumacariya means something in Jainism, Prakrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Paumacariya in Jainism glossary
Source: Google Books: Historical Traditions of Early North India (J)

Paumacariyam (पौमचरियम्) (in Prakrit; in Sanskrit: Padmacarita) (by Vimalasūri) represents the Jain version of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa.—The date of the Paumacariyam, as given by Vimalasūri, is 530 years after the death of Mahāvīra, which would make it around the Christian era.—The Paumacariyam was the earliest among a long line of Jaina versions, which suggests that the rewriting of this story was of considerable importance to the Jaina tradition. Vimalasūri informs us that he is narrating the traditional story of Padma/Rāma as told by Mahāvīra to Indrabhūti, who narrated it to his disciples. The initial narrator is either a deity or a person of status, and this underlines the importance of the text. The story is also called Rāghavacarita; based on the nāmāvalis and caritas of Nārāyaṇas and Baladevas available in the Jaina āgamas, it is sometimes referred to as a purāṇam­ākhyānam.

The Paumacariyam opens with a salutation to Mahāvīra and the tīrthaṅkaras who are associated with the teaching of Jainism. In Puranic fashion, it begins with the history of the universe, the cycles of time, and the biographies of the tīrthaṅkaras . It is therefore at the intersection of the epic and Puranic genres. It then proceeds to describe the origin of the major ruling families involved in the story and gives their genealogies, some of which are closer to the lists in the Purāṇas than the genealogies in the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa . The story of Rāma is introduced in a provocative manner. The initial scene is that of Magadha, a prosperous kingdom located in Jambudvīpa, with its capital at Rājagṛha and ruled by king Śrenika (Bimbisāra).

Source: Shodhganga: A study of the philosophy of Jainism

Paumacariya refers to the “Jain version of the Ramayana”.—The Jains also possess a secular literature of their own in poetry and prose, both in Sanskrit and Prākrit. The oldest Prākrit poem, the Paumacariya, is a Jain version of the Rāmāyaṇa. There are also many Jain moral tales and dramas.

General definition book cover
context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Discover the meaning of paumacariya in the context of General definition from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Let's grow together!

I humbly request your help to keep doing what I do best: provide the world with unbiased sources, definitions and images. Your donation direclty influences the quality and quantity of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight the world is exposed to.

Let's make the world a better place together!

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: