Story Of Rama In Jain Literature

SR No.: 022775
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Saraswati Pustak Bhandar
Publication Year: 1990
Total Pages: 278
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 27 MB

Page 122

CHAPTER-IV
THE RAMAYANA VERSION OF SANGHADĀSA
( as found in his VASUDEV AHINDĪ) Introductory Remarks : The Vasudevahindi' of Sanghacāsa is a very extensive prose work, interspersed with verses. This work is less popularly styled as Vasudevas carija.” It describes the peregrinations and adventures of Vasudeva, the father of Krşna. It is an early works (not later than A D. 609 ) representing the Jain Counterpart of the Brhat-kathā of Gunadhya.. It is written in Prakrit, which, according to modern scholars, is a specimen of the archaic form of Jain Māhārāştri-the language of the non-canonical books of the Svetāmbara writers. It is indeed unfortunate that we have no information available regarding the life of the author of this great work. Beyond his personal name-Sanghadāsa--and the titles 'Gaņi' and * Vacaka 'we know nothing. The fact that he was a Svetāmbara Jain is impilcitly acceptd by all.
His Vasudevahindi is " a memorable storehouse of a lot of heroic legends, popular stories, edifying narratives extended over many births, and sectarian and didactic tales". Here we are concerned with his Rāmāyaṇa only. His version of the story of Rāma though short is very important as will be clear from the present study.
Sañghadăsa's Version of the story of Rāma Sanghadāsa's version of the story of Rāma is as follows: In the race of king Bali were born Sahasragriva, Pancaśatagriva, Satagriva, Pañcāśadgriva, and Vimsatigriva. Vimsatigriva had four wives : Devavarņini, Vakrā, Kaikeyi and Puspakūtā. Devavaiņini had four sons : Soma, Yama, Varuna and Vaiśramaņa. Kaikeyi had three sons-Rāvana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhișana and two daughters : Trijatā and Sūrpanakha, Of Vakıā were born (four sons) Mahodara, Mahāratha, Mahāpāśa and Khara and (a daughter ) Āśälikā. Of Puspakūtā were born Trisära, Dvisara, Vidyujjihva and ( a daughter ) Kumbhināsā.
As a result of conflict with Soma, Yama and others, Rāvana went out and settled in Lankadvipa. There he mastered the Prajñapti lore whereby the Vidyadhara kings began to serve him. 1 Atmānanda Jain Granthamālā volumes No. 80 and 81-published by Jain Atmānanda
Sabhā, Bhavnagar. 2,3 See Introduction to the Gujarati translation by Prof. Sandesara. 4 The reader is referred to the mastery eassy : 'Eine neve version der Verlorenen Pythaikathā
der Gunadhya-by Dr. Alsdorf; its abstract in Gujarati is giver in Tof. Sercesara's ector. 5 See Dr. Alsdorf's article in the Bulletin of the School of Oriental Studies Vol. VIII. 6 The story occurs in the 14th Section called Mayana galambho : pp. 240-245 of Vasudeva
hiņdi-Prathama-Khandam.