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 76

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RĀMA-STORY 47 Siva loosened, so Siva (Rudra) gave it to Devarāta, while the bow of Visnu was inherited by Paraşurāma from his ancestor, Rcīka (1. 75. 11-28); and (iv) Sītā tells Anasāyā that the bow was given by Varuņa (2. 118, 39). These accounts describe the divine origin of the bow.
In the TR it is called "Śiva-dhanu' (1. 250). Its origin is not mentioned.
Like the PCV some Brahmanical works mention that the bow is obtained by Janaka only for the purpose of the marriage of Sītā.
According to the Padmapurana? the betrothal of Sila is settled with Rama. Dasaratha goes to Videhapura to celebrate Rāma's marriage, but Närada intervenes and requests them to postpone the date of marriage because it was an inauspicious day. He further advises to arrange for a 'svayamvara' and to invite various princes to perform the kşā travivāha'. Janaka does not like that any other person should marry Sita. He offers meditation before Rudra. The latter appears and gives him a bow which could be strung only by Rāma. According to the Satyopakhyāna, Siva gives 'darśana' to Janaka in a dream and gives him a bow. He asks him that one who strings the bow, should be married to Sītā (Uttara, 2). The Kaśınīrī Rāmāyaṇa also contains the same episode (Vide Bulcke, p. 285).
The PCR mentions that two bows 'Vajrāvarta' and 'Sagarāvarta' were given to Janaka by Vidyādhara Candragati (28.169). The PCS and the RPS follow the PCR. The TSP mentions Arņavăvarta' in place of Sāgarāvarta' (IV.p. 203). The Vasudevahindi mentions that Sită chooses Rama in a 'svayamvara'. It does not refer to any bow (1.p.241).
This episode is completely absent from the UP and the MP. E. Svayamvara of Sitā:
According to the PCV Janaka then arranges for the 'svayamvara' and invites various princes. Rāma along with his parents and brothers go there. Nobody is able to string the bow except Rāma. Sítā is then declared as his wife (28.93-124). Lakşmaņa also strings the same bow. Then some Vidyadharas offer him their daughters in marriage.
In the VR, there is no 'svayamvara' ceremony and no simultaneous arrival of various princes. They come casually at intervals, try their
1. Note that the PCV (28. 74) also calls it 'suresu kayarakkham' i. e. protected by
the Suras. 2. Patālakhanda, ch. 112.