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...
II.3. Sita’s Betrothal with Rama
[Full title: Section II: Birth of Sita and her marriage; (C) Sita’s Betrothal with Rama]
According to the Paumacariya Janaka engages Sita to Rama in recognition of the latter's chivalry 'purisayaranihasam' (27,41). Rama helped Janaka by chasing away the Mleccha hordes who under the leadership of Ataranga, the chief of Mayuramala, had attacked the land of Janaka. There is no account of the betrothal of Sita to Rama in the Valmiki Ramayana and the Ramcharitmanas According to the Valmiki Ramayana many kings go individually and try in vain their skill and strength at the bow. Janaka refuses to offer Sita to any one of them. Then the disgruntled kings besiege Mithila for one year. Helpless Janaka propitiates gods. The latter send their fourfold army and chase away the enemy-kings (1.66.17-24). About in the Valmiki Ramayana the brother of Janaka a separate episode is narrated in the Sudhanvan the king of Sankasyapura once seizes the city of Mithila to obtain the Saiva-bow and Sita for himself. Janaka does not surrender but kills Sudhanvan in the battle. He installs his own brother (Kusadhvaja) on the throne of Sankasyapura (1.71-16-19). The Ramcharitmanas does not contain any such account. It refers to the visit of Ravana and Banasura and their vain efforts at the bow (1.250) prior to the celebration of the 'svayamvara'. 1. Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition)., 2, p. 188. 2. Ibid. p. 376. 3. Ibid. p. 280. 4. Dr. Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition). is of the opinion that Sita was the legal daughter of Janaka in the Adi Ramayana (p. 292).
46 A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM Ravisena (Paumacariya, XXVII), Svayambhu (Paumacariu, XXI-6-7), Hemacandra (Trishashti Shalaka Purusha-caritra, IV. 199-200) and Somasena (Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena., p. 69) agree with the PGV. The Uttarapurana of Gunabhadra and the Mahapurana of Puspadanta do not refer to either the betrothal of Sita or the bow-ceremony. In the Buddhacarita it is said that when the land was attacked by some Anaryas, Rama defended it coming back from the Tapovana (tatha mahim viprakratamanaryaistapovanadetya raraksa Ramah 9.69). But there is no reference to the association of Janaka with this episode.