41. The story of Rucira and Pravara

[Full title: Didactic stories; (A) Religious cum Moral Stories; (41) The story of Rucira and Pravara]

Follwing the previous birth story of Jatayu or the story of king Dandnka, Muni Sugupti who along with Trigupti was received by Rama in the Dandakaranya, narrated the (cause of their renouncement) story to enlighten the vulture (Jatayu) (41.40-64) by illustrating the futility of the worldly bonds. Being requested by Sri, the wife of king Acala of Banaras, a monk named Sugupti prophesied that she would be blessed with two sons. In course of time two sons were born and they were named Trigupti and Sugupti. Purohita Soma of Gandhavatinagari had two sons Suketu and Agniketu. Suketu became a Jaina monk under Anantavirya while Agniketu became a Tapasa at Banaras. Suketu on being instructions given by his teacher, went to equipped with the 1. This story of the Trishashti Shalaka Purusha-caritra is found in the Nisitha Curni, 16. p. 1113.

176 A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM enlighten his brother. He asked Angiketu to narrate the future of a certain girl who had arrived on the bank of Jahnavi. Agniketu admitted his ignorance. Then Suketu informed him thus: 'She is Rucira, the daughter of Pravara, a merchant. She will die after three days and will be reborn as a sheep in the house of Visala of Kuvvaragrama. The sheep on being killed by Visala will be reborn as a she-buffalo and then as the daughter of Visala, the maternal uncle of Pravara". Having listened to it, Agniketu got enlightened. In due course Pravara's marriage was settled with the daughter of Visala. At that time Agniketu narrated to the girl her previous birth. She got enlightened and wanted to renounce the world. At this developement Pravara instituted a case against Visala in the court of Acala at Banaras. Then the reality was made known. The girl renounced the world. The princes, Trigupti and Sugapti also became monks under muni Anantavirya. The Paumacariya (41.107-137) mentions Giridevi as the wife of king Acala. Visala is referred to as Vilasa and Kuvvaragrama as Jakamvaragrama. Vilasa is called the maternal uncle of Rucira and the daughter of Vilasa is named as Vidhura. One additional birth of Rucira as a she-goat is mentioned. The Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. (p.117) follows the Paumacariya The Paumacariu and the Trishashti Shalaka Purusha-caritra do not contain this story.