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 50

SUMMARY
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25. In due course Padma (Rama) is born to Aparajitā, Lakṣmaṇa (Lakkhana) to Sumitra and Bharata (Bharaha) as well as Satrughna (Sattuggha) to Kaikeyi. All of them receive general education and training in archery under preceptor Airakucchi.
26-27. Gautama continuing the story narrates that queen Videhā (Videhi, Vaidehī or Videhā), the wife of king Janaka of Mithila, gives birth to Sītā and a son who is immediately abducted by a celestial being and is thrown into a garden. Khecara Candragati, the Vidyadhara king of Rathanupura, happens to see that babe. He takes it to his wife and adopts it as his own son, naming him as Bhāmaṇḍala. Now it so happens that some Mleccha tribes of the Ardhabarbara country invade the territory of Janaka. He demands help from Dasaratha. The latter sends Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa who chase away the Mleccha hordes. Janaka gets pleased with the valour of Rāma and he settles Sītā's betrothal with the latter.
28. When Narada comes to know of this relation, he with a desire to see Sītā, enters her palace. Sītā gets frightened at the dreadful look of his matted hair and makes a cry of alarm. At this her warders have a scuffle with him and he flees away from there. Thus being insulted, he prepares a portrait of Sita and places it somewhere in the garden of Rathanupura to put her in trouble. When Bhamandala catches a glance of that portrait, he gets at once smitten with the flowery arrows of cupid. His father, Candragati, makes a plan to marry Bhamandala with Sītā. He sends a Vidyadhara to Mithila, The latter, in the disguise of a horse, abducts Janaka to Rathanupura. Candragati demands Sītā for his son but Janaka does not agree to break Sita's betrothal with Rama. Thereupon Candragati gives him a divine bow named Vajrāvarta and tells him that if Rāma is really a mighty person he shall prove his prowess by stringing the bow. Then
only he will be entitled to marry Sītā. Janaka returns to Mithila with that bow and arranges for the svayamvara-ceremony. Out of many prospective princes Rama only emerges successful in stringing the bow. Laksmana also strings that bow and some Vidyadharas offer their daughters to him in marriage. At this moment Bharata becomes gloomy over his inferiority. Kaikeyī quickly guesses the cause of his depression and tries to remove his disgust. She through Dasaratha, requests Kanaka, the brother of Janaka to arrange for the svayamvara of his daughter, Subhadra. Immediately the ceremony is held and Subhadra selects Bharata. Thus Rama and Bharata marry Sītā and Subhadra respectively and return to Sukośalapura (Saketa).
29.
Gautama further relates that once on the occasion of a religious festival, Dasaratha sends the bath. water of Jina to his chief