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 237

The Origin of the Story of Rama in Jain Literature
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and Sundara-kāṇḍa Book V (Canto 53, vv. 5-8) speaks of the tail of Hanumat--the Vanara hero; and Book V (Canto 10, v.55) clearly brings out that he belonged to the monkey-race: "He struck on the ground his tail, kissed his own tail, rejoiced, jumped about, sang, ran about, went up the pillars and fell down, thus showing in many ways that he belonged to the monkey race".
Ravana's defeat was due to the valour of Vanara chiefs and the Vanara army no less than to the valour of Rāma and Laksmana. This is evident from the description of single combats and battles as given in the Yuddha-kända. It tells us that Sugriva killed three of the biggest glants of Ravana's side viz., Kumbha. Virupaksa and Mahodara. Hanumat brought down Ravana's son, Akṣa, and among the most important Rākṣasas he killed were Devantaka, Trisiras and Nikumbha. Nala, Nila, Angada and other great heroes have also many exploits to their credit. In fact, excepting Rama, Laksmana and Vibhiṣana with his four counsellors, the whole of the army led by them against the Rākṣasas consisted of lower animals who ultimately caused the downfall of Rāvana.
(b)
10.
It is reported in the popular scriptures that all the Rākṣasas led by Rāvana used to eat and drink meat, blood and marrow.
Sundara-kända (V. Canto 5. v. 11 f) tells us of Hanumat's visit to Ravana's Banquet hall where he found various kinds of birds' and beasts' flesh kept ready for Ravana's consumption, and cups of wine. In the Aranya-kanda (III. Canto 2 vv. 12-13), the Raksasa Viradha himself tells us that he used to seize a saint to make meal of him and that his lips would quaff the blood of Rama and Laksmana. In Aranya-kanda (III. Canto 19, vv. 19-20) we are told of Surpanakha's desire to drink the blood of Rama, Lakṣmaṇa and Sita. Aranya-kanda (iii. Canto 38, v.3) speaks of Marica as one given to eating the flesh of Rsis. In the Sundara-kända (V. Canto 22, v. 9)--Ravana addresses Sita as follows:........if after two months' time you do not bend to your lover's will, my cooks shall mince your limbs and serve you for my morning meal. 10 Uttara-kanda (VII. Canto 10, 3839) tells us that Kumbhakarna had eaten seven Apsarases and ten followers of Indra. (c)
It is reported that Ravana's brother named Kumbhakama used to sleep for six months without a break; even though his body would be crushed by big elephants and his ears filled with pot-fuls of oil (he would not wake up), he would not hear the sound of drums beaten near him nor would he get up from his bed if the period of six months was not over! When he got up, being overpowered with fierce hunger he would devour whatever would be near him at the time, such as elephants and buffaloes. Having filled his belly by devouring gods, men, elephants and the like he would again go to bed for another six months......."
This threat in the same words occurs in Book III, Canto 56, vv. 24-25. From such threats which Ravana gives to Sita in order to bend her to his passion we, however, may not be justified in saying that Ravana was a cannibal.