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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
To get the treasures of the world but to lose one's eyes (15.86; 26.80). A diamond dropped in the sea (is not to be regained 14.106; 45.34). To dig well when the house is on fire (5.239; 86.60). (See 4.50; 103.110; 111.112; 118.107 already referred to in the preceding lines).
CONCLUSION On the basis of the above analysis we may conclude that in the PCV there are the lingering traits of the Puranic style and the embers of the Agama style are dying out. The figures of speech specially those other than the similes, metaphors and onomatopoeia are in their rudimentary stage. Even in the similes and metaphors the poet is mostly conventional, but he has decidedly excelled in bringing out onomatopoeic effects. His claim 'visuddhalaliyakkharaheujuttam' (118.101) is quite justified. The Rasas frequently have failed to reach the culmination which they attain in the ornate works of classical age. The poet has not followed the style of the classical ornate poetry, rather he has deliberately adhered to the popular style so that he might catch the attention of the general people.
The work does not fulfil all the requirements of a Mahākāvya in so far as subject matter of the story has not become subservient to form i.e. long descriptions of nature and sentiments, but there are elements of Mahākāvya such as the theme being that of a Puranic hero, charming descriptions of nature and human world, planning into systematic cantos, 'stuti' in the beginning, 'Ābirvacana' at the end of the work and the change of metre at the close of every canto.
Thus, Vimalasūri was the first author among the Jainas, who presented a Puranic narrative into the charming poetic style.
