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
C. Stories of genesis :
This group contains five stories-i. e. Nos. 16, 17, 18 and 19 as well as 20, which inform us about the origin of the Brāhmaṇa class, Animal-sacrifice, Vánara-vamsa and the Harivamsa respectively.
II—There are forty-four didactic stories. They can be accounted as follows:
A. Religious-cum-Moral stories :
The first group has thirty-eight stories which illustrate different points viz. the painful consequences of desecrating the Jina-idols (34), of torturing the monks (21 & 32), the Samgha (26) or the animals (44 & 51), of punishing others and causing breach of faith (22); the suffering brought about by murdering monks (40) or other human beings (23, 24 & 42); and the good fruits of giving protection to other's life (28 & 39). They further illustrate that abusive speech invites miseries (50); that the act of kidnapping others is retributed (35); that unchastity and unfaithfulness bring about desertation (47) while chastity and faithfulness procure rise and bountifulness (48). They exemplify that enmity intimidates religious advancement (38 & 54) while love and sympathy (25), true friendly help (30) and affection (36) are reciprocally rewarded. They further teach us that to much attachment causes delusion (45 & 53), anger brings about downfall (29) and deceit earns rebirth as an animal (52). They illustrate the fruits of observing vows (49), penances (31, 33, 37, 43, 56 & 58) and offering gifts to monks (57) as well as the harm resulting from forming a 'nidāna' (27 & 46). The story No. 55 illustrates variedly the results of 'nidāna', penances, affection, attachment, censure and confession and the story No. 41 illustrates the crude ways of wordly life.
B. The stories of general prudence :
They are 6 in number and illustrate the benefits of helping the ignorant (59), the futility of too much attachment (60), the veracity of the axiom that only the brave deserve the fair (61), They further establish that greed is the cause of enmity between even one's kith and kin (62 & 63) and emphasise the necessity of prudence in forming family ties (64).
2. INFORMATIVE STORIES. A-Caritas of Eminent Persons.
1. Rāvana Carita : According to the Jaina tradition, Rāvana is the eighth Prativă. sudeva who is killed by the eighth Vasudeva, Laksmana. A Prativa.