Paumchariu Part 1

SR No.: 002523
Original Sutra Author: Swayambhudev
Author: H C Bhayani
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown
Publication Year: 1953
Total Pages: 458
Language: Sanskrit, English
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Literature
File Size: 11 MB

Page 90

INTRODUCTION
and literary charm only a fraction is such as for which Svayambhu is indebted to Ravisena. For the rest the credit goes to his own poetic powers.
49
SO
From what is said above it should not be understood that Ravişeņa was the one and only source of Svayambhu far as the composition of PC. was concerned. For we find that the facts and incidents at several places in PC. are at variance with those in corresponding contexts in RP. This clearly suggests that Svayambhu had access to other sources. Thus (I) the episode of Bharatesvara and Bahubali: (1) In RP. (IV 70) and VP. (IV 430) it is Bahubali who proposes to decide their quarrel by personal combat instead of involving their whole armies, but in PC. (4 8 9c) the proposal is put forth by ministers. (2) Over and above the glance duel and the wrestling duel (RP. IV 72, VP. IV 43-47), PC. (4 10) gives also water duel'. (3) In RP. and VP. there is no mention of the obstacle to Bahubali's attainment of Kevala and how it was removed by Bharata (PC. 4 13-14).
(II) The battle with Väli: According to RP. IX 73-90 and VP. IX 39-46) Väli went to the battle-field but at the instance of his minister was disgusted with the imminent slaughter and immediately renounced the world. But PC. 12 10-11 describe the combat between Vali and Ravana in which ultimately Vāli lifts up Ravana together with his sword and aerial car and thereafter renounces the world.
Again when Ravana was out to uproot Mount Kailasa with Vāli over it and throw it in the ocean, it is Vāli himself, according to RP. (IX 145-158) and VP. (IX 74-81), who, in order to save the Jina shrines from destruction, presses down the mountain with his toe and thereafter at the request of Mandodari to spare Rāvana's life, removes the pressure. But the account in PC. is different. There (XIII) Dharanendra, coming to know of the upasarga caused to Vali by Ravana appears before Vali and as he bows the mountain is pressed down with his weight, it being pulled up afterwards at Mandodari's request. In the RP. (IX 191-193) and VP. (IX 96) Dharanendra appears after Ravana comes out shattered and prays to Väli. But from PC. XV 9 10 it is clear that Ravana believed it was Vali's foot that had pressed down the mountain.
(III) The Dynastic and other Lists. PC. gives between Sandhis V and VI names of sixty-four successive kings in the Rakṣasa dynasty. Strangely enough they are given in Sanskrit. All Mss. of PC. have them. But we find several divergences when we compare this dynastic list with those given at RP. V 378-398 and VP. V 251-266 PC. has Mrgavega) (v. 1. Mrgaveṣa) for Amṛtavega; omits Cintagati (RP. V 393, but not in VP.); gives Simha
(1) In the Vasudevahindi (1-187) also only the ditthi-jujjha and the mutthijujjha are given. There the account of the obstacle to Bahubali's attainment of Kevala and removal thereof at Rsabha's suggestion is narrated but the details are different from what is found in PC.
(2) There are discrepancies between RP. and VP. also on this point. Some of the above noted divergences in names can be explained on assuming_that they represent different attempts at reproducing the Prakrit original. Thus, from an original Sihadavamma or Mayaridavamna we get (1) directly Mṛgāridamana and (2) by metathesis of va and da, Simhavadana. Similarly the first portions of Mrgavega or (Mrgavesa) and Amṛtavega can be derived from maya or miya. In Puranic lists also we find similar corruptions and transformations.