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

Page 126

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RĀMA-STORY
97 F. Rāvana's offer for a peace treaty with Rāma : .
According to the PCV after the recovery of Laksmana from wounds, Rāvana is advised by his ministers to liberate Sita and to sign a peace treaty with Rama (65.6). But Rāvaņa disregards their counsel and offers to Rāma through his envoy some parts of his territory provided he (Rāma) releases his (Ravana's) relatives and foregoes Sītā's return. Rāma rejects the offer and warns Ravana of the fatal consequences if Sītā is not released (65.20).
In the VR there is no mention of it. In the TR it is stated that Prahasta (Rāvana's son) had, before the commencement of the battle, requested Rāvana to give up Sītā for restoring peace (6.9-10) at home.
The Mahānāțaka' refers to the sending of a 'dūta' by Rāvana for making truce with Rāma. Ravana had demanded the 'parasu' (Jāmadagnya) for returning Sīta, but Rama disagreed.
In the Khotāni Rāmāyana it is said that Răvaņa after having been wounded in the battle offered to pay royal toll to Rama and for that the latter did not kill the former (Bulcke, p. 395).
G. Acquiring of Bahurupā Vidyā by Rāvana:
According to the PCV, Rāvana, after his proposal being turned down by Rāma, starts meditating in the Jina temple to acquire unvanquishable Bahurupā-vidyā for defeating Rama (66). The Vanaras cause terror in Lanka by torturing the citizens (67). Angada disturbs Rāvana and drags Mandodarī to impede Rāvana's success. But Råvaņa remains devoted and attains the desired goal (68).
. In the VR there is no reference to the performance of any austerity by Rāvana for attaining any supernatural power. The performance of a sacrifice by Indrajit and its destruction by Laksmana has already been referred to. The north-west version of VR mentions, after the slaying of Indrajit, the meditation by Rāvana, the mischief of the Vanaras to perturb him, the dragging of Mandodari by Angada and the incomplete sacrifice of Rāvana (Bulcke, p. 380).
The TR mentions the performing of a Yajña by Indrajit as in the VR. It additionally refers to the sacrifice of Rāvana and its being foiled by Hanumat and Angada who were sent by Rāma after the death of Indrajit to do so (6. 85). Here Ravana's wives are dragged and Rāvana is kicked.
1, Madhusudana's version (Bulcke,p. 195).