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...
Introduction
The Paumacariya after narrating the biography of Lord Rsabha and the origin of the 'Brahmanas' deals with the origin of various Vamsas and their genealogical lists. In the following lines an attempt has been made to see how far it stands in agreement or at variation with the Brahmanical tradition The fifth chapter of the Paumacariya refers to four great Vamsas (cattari mahavamsa 5.1), viz. Ikkhaga (Iksvaku), Soma, Vijjahara (Vidyadhara) and Hari. The origin of the first three is given in the same chapter while that of the fourth one is dealt with in the twenty-first chapter just hefore narrating the life of Munisuvratanatha. Two more Vamsas Raksasa and Vanara are treated of in the fifth and the sixth chapter while narrating the life of Ravana. It is mentioned in the Paumacariya that the (5.3-9) Iksvaku, the Soma (5.10-11) and the Vidyadhara (3.144-161) Vamsas originated during the congregation of Lord Rsabha, the first Tirthankara. The Raksasa Vamsa (5.77, 122,251) came into vogue during the era of Lord Ajita, the second Tirthankara. The Hari Vamsa (21.2-10) came into existence during the Tirtha of Sitala, the tenth Tirthankara and the Vanara Vamsa (6.90) was established during the period intervening Sreyamsa and Vasupujya, the eleventh and the twelfth Tirthankaras respectively.