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 142

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RĀMA-STORY
113
E. Renouncing the World :
(i) The acceptance of monkhood by the principal eight sons of Lakşmaņa:-According to the PGV, once Kanakaratha, the Khecara lord of Kancananagara arranges 'svayamvara' ceremony for his daughters, Mandakini and Candramukhi. They select Lavana and Ankusa as their husbands respectively. The eight principal sons of Lakşmaņa out of 250 in all, take it as an affront and fight with Lavana and Ankusa. The ministers of Rāma intervene and avert the disaster. Then the eight Sons of Lakşmaņa accept monkhood under Mahabalamuni (106). The names of these eight sons are : Sridhara (of Višalya), Pệthvītilaka (of Rūpamatī). Mangalanilaya (of Kalyāṇamála), Arjun avřksa (of Vanamalā), Śrīkesin (of Ratimala), Vimalaprabha ( of Jitapadmā ), Sarvakīrti (of Abhayamatí) and Supārsvakīrti (of Manorama). These eight sons are born of eight queens of Lakşmaņa. Višalya is the chief queen of Lakşmaņa among his 16000 wives (91).
The VR does not mention any marriage of Kuśa and Lava. Laksmana has one wife only (ūrmila). He has two sons, Angada and Candraketu (7.102.2). They are installed as the kings of Angadīyapuri in the Kārupatha country (7.102.8) and Candrakāntapuri in the Malla country (7.102.9) respectively. These countries are said to have been conquered by Rāma for them (his nephews),
The PCR mentions Bhagavati instead of Abhayamatī as one of the eight queens of Lakşmaņa. It mentions 17000 (94.17) wives of Laksmana (94.23). The TSP does not mention any fight between the sons of Rama and those of Laksmana (IV. p. 341). It mentions Vimala, Srīkęśin and Satyakīrti as the names of the sons of Laksmana born of Ratimālā, Jitapadma and Abhayavati respectively (IV. p. 313). The RPS follows the PCR but mentions Hemaratha in place of Kanakaratha (p. 195) and Mrgalocana in place of Candramukhi. There is no mention of any quarrel between the sons of Laksmana and those of Rāma (p. 195).
The UP mentions the same number of wives of Lakşmaņa as in the PCV (68.666f) and Pșthvīsundarí as the chief queen (68.704). The MP refers to Pșthvīsundara as the first son of Lakşmana begot on Pșthvssundari (79.9.8). He is made the king of Vārāṇasī after the death of Laksmana.
1. The PCV mentions at 20.187 Prabhāvati as the chief queen. The PCR also
mentions the same name at 20.228,