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...
33. The previous birth of Srisaila or Hanu
[Full title: Didactic stories; (A) Religious cum Moral Stories; (33) The previous birth of Srisaila or Hanu, or the story of Damayanta]
When Anjana was banished by his mother-in-law, she entered a forest along with her companion Vasantamala. There she paid homage to a muni meditating near a cave. Vasantamala enquired of the monk about the cause of Anjana's plight and the previous life of the unfortunate child who was still in the womb of Anjana. Then the monk narrated the following story (17. 43-58) thereby explaining the fruits of observing penances. Damayanta, the son of Priyanandin and Jaya of Mandarapura, on account of offering some gifts to a monk, passed through the birth of a celestial being and then was reborn as Simhacandra being the son of Priyangulaksmi and Harivahana of Varapura. On account of his devotion to the religion, he passed through the life of a celestial being and was reborn as a son of Kanakodari and king Sukantha of Vijayardha. He reigned Arunapura and in due course renounced the world under Muni Laksmidhara during the tirtha of Vimalanatha. He observed penances and after passing through a celestial life, he was reborn as a child in the womb of Anjanasundari. The Paumacariya (17. 141-164) names Varapura as Mrgankanagara and Harivahana as Haricandra. The Trishashti Shalaka Purusha-caritra (IV. p. 172) agrees with the Paumacariya and the Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. (ch. 9) agrees with the Paumacariya, but it names Priyangulaksmi as Priyalaksmi.