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 95

Pauma-Cariya of Vimala Sari
sing the work is 8651.03
9. VIMALASURI'S AIM IN WRITING THE PAÜMACARIYA
Vimalasuri holds that the Rāmāyaṇa stories (of the Hindu poets) are most certainly lies; he thinks that the absurdities which are related regarding the life of Rāma. Rāvana, Kumbhakarna and others are not worthy of belief, and that the poets who composed Rāmāyaṇa were liers. " + Through the mouth of Sreņika and Gautama the poet gives expression to all this :
"How is it possible that the great Rākşasa heroes, though very strong, were killed by the Vānaras (monkeys)? It is reported in the popular scriptures that all ther Rākşasas led by Rāvana used to eat meat and drink blood and marrow, and that Rāvana's brother Kumbhakarna 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. ...". Again, it is said that Indra, when defeated in battle by Rävaņa, was bound in chains and taken to Laikā. How can anyone take Indra captive-Indra who rules over Jambūdvipa with its gods and men ? One would be reduced to heaps of ashes at the mere thought of attacking him, who has Airāvata, the elephant-jewel and Vajra, the thunderbolt at his command ! At that rate we might as well affirm that the lion is overcome by the deer, the elephant by the dog ! Further, it is reported that Rāma during his sojurn in the forest killed a (wondrous) golden deer and that (at Kişkiodhā) Rāma treacherously killed Välin in order to oblige (his ally) Sugriva and win (Su-) Tārā for him (Sugriva). It is also said that the Vānaras constructed a bridge across the ocean."95
It is with a view to removing all such absurdities, inconsistencies and incredible elements found in the popular Rāmāyana stories that Vimalasuri undertakes the composition of the Paumacariya. It is the poet's intention to present faithfully the
93 The U glāta to tie Bharanazar edition gives the total number to be approximately
9000 sta zas (Āsanna-ana-sahasre-Sloka-pram tam ). Pandit Premi states the total number of Verses to be 10000 Anustu) Slokas (Jain Sahitya Aura Itihasa, p. 89 of the revised edition ) Professors Gore and Laddu remark in their edition that the poem contains more
than 9000 stanzas. This statement needs to be corrected. 94 अलिय पि सव्वमेयं, उववत्तिविरुद्धपच्चयगुणे हिं ।
a acela gitar, gálat fiscal SIT 11 -II 117 95 c. Canto 11.105-117, 111.8-15 (and VII.58-60).