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 77

A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
strength at the bow and go away disappointed. It is after a long period of time that Visvamitra takes Rama and Lakṣmaṇa along with him to attend the Yajña of Janaka (1.31.6-7) and to show them the strange bow. At the request of Janaka and with the permission of Visvamitra as soon as Rama strings the 'Saiva' bow, it breaks into two (1.67.16-17). Janaka sends for Dasaratha. He arrives there with his other sons to attend the marriage ceremony (1.68-69) of Rama and Sītā, Tulasīdāsa has introduced a new element in it. He tells us that Rama and Sītā see each other in a garden at Mithila. Sītā develops love for Rama (1.230-232) and prays the deity 'Girija' (1.236) to fulfil her desire. Again when all the princes are unsuccessful, Sita prays Maheśabhavānī to lighten the bow in weight so that Rama may wield it easily (harahu cãpagaruãi 1.257). Thus in the TR many princes assemble to decide their fate (1.250.2), but only Rama emerges successful. Sitä puts 'jayamala' round the neck of Rama (1.264). Disgruntled princes are mentioned to have made a row, but the immediate appearance of Parasurama subdues their anger (1.266,268). It mentions that previously Ravana had come there to string the bow, but he felt defeated at the very sight of the heaviness of the bow and went away. (1.250.1).
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There are many non-Jaina works which mention the presence of various princes on the occasion of the 'svayamvara' of Sītă, their failure in stringing the bow, Rama's success and his claim for the hand of Sită.
The Nrsimhapurana (47.105-118), the Balaramayana (Anka 3), the Mahānaṭaka (1.35), the Padmapurāna (Pātāla 112), the Prasannarāghava (3.40-41), and the Ananda Ramayana (1.3.61-140) refer to the unsuccessful efforts of other princes. The Bhagavata Purana (9.10.6) and the Adhyatmaramayana (1.6.24) speak of to the presence of various princes. Brahmacakra of Laos refers to the same event (Bulcke, 2.p.280).
The Tamil Ramayana of Kambana (1.12), the Telugu Dvipada Ramayana and the Reyama kera mention the unsuccessful efforts of other princes (Vide Bulcke, p.286).
There are some non-Jaina works which mention that after the svayamvara-ceremony is over, the disgruntled candidates attack1 Rāma. Rama defeats them and marries Sītā. The Nrsimhapurana (47.119-124), Padmapurana (ch.112, Pt. II, p. 739) and the Serī Rāma (vide Bulcke
1. In Rama's case the PCV does not refer to this kind of incident. It is on the occason of the 'svayamvara' of Kaikey that the disappointed candidates attack Dasaratha,