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 310

281
SOURCES,CONTRIBUTION AND INFLUENCE OF PCV. mentions that a period of 64000 years lapsed between Rāmāyana and Mahābhārata and at 20.81 it is said that eleven lakh years intervened between two Tirthaikaras, Munisuvrata and Nemi. The PCR (20.89;109.28) contains similar defect. The order in which the 14 Kulakaras are mentioned in the PCV (3.50-55) does not agree fully with the Digambara or the Švetambara tradition (See Infra, Ch.7.Sec.1). Ravişena, though a staunch Digambara, puts them in the same order (3.75-87). The Mayopakhyāna (77.66ff) narrated in the PCV does not seem to be properly connected with the previous context and the enquiry made by Srenika. The same inconsistency is found in the PCR (80.149ff.).
The PCV contains in all 8651 verses (Aprox. 10000 granthāgras) while the PCR (123.186) has 18023 verses. The descriptive portions? such as geographical places, physical beauty, natural objects, love scenes, ceremnies, battles, religious discourses etc. are larger in the PCR. There are very rare instances in the PCR2 when a similar topic of the PCV comparatively occupies shorter portion in the PCR. Generally the length of all the cantos of the PCR varies with those of the PCV. The cantos (1-90), 20 (1-208), 73 (1-35), 75 (1-85), 87 (1-20) and 88(1-43) are roughly equal in size to the PCR's cantos (1-102), 20(1-250), 76(1-43), 78(1-95), 90(1-29) and 91(1-51). On the whole it appears that either the PCV is a contracted version of the PCR or the PCR is an enlarged version of the PCV.
Pt. Nathuram Premi observes that there are various instances of reproducing Prakrit works into Sanskrit, but there is scarcely any example vice-cersa. He further says that in both the works the origin of Brāhmaṇas has been associated with the etymological meaning of the word 'mā-hana=do not kill'. Má hana is a Prakrit equivalent of Sanskrit Brāhmaṇa, therefore, the episode of the origin of Brāhmaṇas befits the Prakrit word Mahana. In Sanskrit no-where the Brahmanas are called Mahaņas. In his opinion Ravişeņa has copied and reproduced Paumacariyain into Sanskrit (See 781, p. 90). Now we propose to bring out some other points which support the fact that Ravişena has recast Vimalasūri's work.
1. Education and Training of Kaikeyi PCV, 24.5-8; PCR, 24-6-83; Qualities of
Marudevi PCV, 3.58; PCR, 3.91-100; Description of Krauñcarava river PCV, 42.15-16; PCR, 42,62-74; Rāma's mourning after the kidnapping of Sita PCV, 45.57-66; PCR, 45.105-149. Laikāsundari's love for Hanuman PCV, 52.17-20; PCR 52.46-58; Battle between Kişkindhi and Aśnivega PCV, 6.176-201 PCR,
6-428-501; Watersports of Sahasrakirana PCV, 10.37-44; PCR, 10.37-84. 2. Heavenly abodes-PCR, 105,173; PCV, 102.149--166; cemetary ground.
PCR, 109.54; PCV, 105.53-61.