Critical Study Of Paumacariyam

SR No.: 022643
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: K R Chandra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa
Publication Year: 1970
Total Pages: 672
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English & Book_Devnagari
File Size: 18 MB

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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
nada gets assured of the destined death of Ravana as prophesied by sage Anantavirya (48.99). The Vanaras do not favour a straight fight with Ravana. They advise Rama to conciliate with Rāvana through Vibhiṣana. Hanumat who is considered to be quite a fit person for mediation, is called there from Śrīpura (49.19). Hanumat1 is the son-in-law of Sugrīva. He is an ally of Ravana and the husband of the daughter of Candranakha.
According to the VR, there is no stupefaction of the Vanaras but Tara while pacifying Lakṣmaṇa, says that Ravana cannot be killed called for by Sugrīva alone (4.35.16), therefore, other allies are assistance. Lakṣmaṇa does not try to convince the Vanaras about the valour of Rama but Sugrīva himself admits before Lakṣmaṇa that Rama is quite fit to kill Rāvana on account of his success in previous test.2 Hanumat does not bear any marital relation with Ravana. He is selected on account of his strength, ability, wisdom and faithfulness. He is commissioned to find out Sītā. No command of making an effort to reconciliate with Ravana through Vibhiṣana (4.44.7) is mentioned in the VR.
The TR does not describe these topics of the VR in detail.
There are some non-Jaina works in which Lakṣmaṇa is also associated with the test of Rama in piercing the seven trees, though in the PCV it is only Lakṣmaṇa who lifts up the Koțiśila. According to the Ananda Rāmāyaṇa (1.8.36), Seri Rama and the Reama Kera as well as the Western. Acc. No. 1, these trees stood on the back of a snake coiling itself in a circular form. Lakṣmaṇa presses that snake to straighten its body and Rama pierces the trees. Some works mention that there prevailed a prophecy that one who pierced these seven trees at a stretch would be the killer of Vali. This account is found in the Nrsimhapurana (50.22), Ananda Rāmāyaṇa (1.8.39) and the West Acct. No. 13. According to the PCV also there prevailed a prophecy that one who lifted up the Koțiśila, would be the slayer of Rāvana.
C. Hanumat's journey to Lanka:
According to the PCV Rama gives his finger-ring to Hanumat to convince Sīta that the bearer is his (Rama's) confidant and he further asks him to bring the braid-jewel of Sită (cūdāmaņi 49.35). Hanumat along with a band of soldiers, on his way to Lanka, overpowers
1. 19.18-41.
2. This test was taken for adjudging the fitness of Rama in killing Väli and not for the annihilation of Ravana as found in the PCV (See Sec. 6C).