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 66

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RAMA-STORY
37
The Ananda Ramayana mentions the episode of the marriage of Dasaratha with Kausalya, which partially agrees with that of the PCV. Ravana comes to know from Brahma that the son of Dasaratha born of Kausalya would kill him. He foils their marriage by demolishing their boat in the Sarayu river, kidnaps Kausalya, puts her into a trunk and leaves it into the custody of Timingala Matsya. When the Matsya is away to face his enemy, Dasaratha goes there and performs Gāndharva marriage with Kausalya. Ravana comes to know of it and he tries to kill them, but Brahma intervenes and saves them. Thereafter Dasaratha marries Sumitra and Kaikeyi (1.1.37-74). This account1 is found in the interpolated portion of some of the recensions of the Svayambhuva and Tulasi Rāmāyaṇa.
According to the Satyopakhyāna, Narada praises the beauty of Kaikeyi before Dasaratha and predicts that a great son would be born of her. Dasaratha manages to win the heart of Kaikeyi through a Devayogini. Kaikeyīs father marries Kaikeyī to Dasaratha on the condition that her son would inherit the crown of Ayodhya (Bulcke, p. 278).
There are certain non-Jaina works which associate war-chariot with the promising of boons to Kaikeyī. Kaikeyī was granted two boons by Dasaratha for she prevented, in time, the dislocation of a wheel from the war-chariot by putting her hand in place of the axle which had fallen down broken when Dasaratha was fighting in the Devasura battle. This feat of Kaikeyī was commended and rewarded by Dasaratha. This account is found in the Brahmapurana (Anandaśrama, ch. 123. p. 300), Padmapurana (Bengali version, vide-Bulcke, the Ananda Rāmāyaṇa p. 322), Adhyatma Rāmāyaṇa (2.2. 66-72) and (101. 75-84).
The Rama Kiyena2 (ch. 14) also has the above account. According to the Seri Rama" and the Hikayata Maharaja Ravana, Darī a concubine of Dasaratha holds up the wrecking litter of Dasaratha when he marries Mandu-devi (chief queen). Dasaratha makes Darī her queen and promises the kingship to her son (Bharata).
There are some non-Jaina works which refer to one boon only. The VR4 also indicates that upon the strength of one boon Kaikey!
1. Vide Bulcke, p. 277.
2. Vide Bulcke, p. 322.
3.
Ibid. pp. 278, 3 3.
4. Purvam dattavara devi varamenamayacata/
Vivasanam ca Ramasya Bharatasyabhiṣecanam// 1.1.22.