Jain Version of Ramayana

SR No.: 229550
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nalini Joshi
Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan
Total Pages: 13
Language: Hindi
Classification: Article & 0_not_categorized
File Size: 413 KB

Page 3

मार्च २००९
(A) Common Jain Elements in all Jain Versions of Ramakatha (1) Tradition of 63 Šalākapuruṣas :
All the authors of Jain Rāmakathā claim that Ramakathā was handed down to them right from Lord Mahāvira through succession. Jain tradition has created a format of 63 illustrated human heroes, of course in spiritual perspective. These are designations and all of them occur in each Avaṣarpiņi and Utsarpini of the time-wheel (Kalacakra). Rāma or Padma is the 8th Baladeva (Balabhadra or Balarama), Lakṣmaṇa is the 8th Vasudeva (or Narayaṇa) and Ravana is the 8th Prati-Vasudeva of the present Avasarpiņi.' Hanuman is enumerated as among the 24 Kamadevas but not included in the 63 Śalākāpuruṣas in the Jaina Purāņa perennis. According to this format, all Jaina authors agree that Lakṣmaṇa killed Rāvana. Both of them were born as infernal beings immediately after their birth as human beings. After a long span of time, after having gone through many cycles of birth and death, they will attain Liberation. Padma and Hanuman had attained Nirvāṇa while Sitä had attained heaven.
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(2) Polygamy:
In the format of Šalākāpuruṣas, Baladevas and Vasudevas necessarily possess thousands of wives. All Jain authors have depicted that Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa and Rāvaṇa possessed thousands of wives. In Valmiki Rāmāyaṇa, very few males are monogamists. The citations like रामस्य परमाः स्त्रियः (Vālmiki Rā. 2.8.12) may have inspired Jain authors to picturise Rāma as polygamist. 'The vow of complete celibacy' is greatly honoured in Jain monachism but still Hanuman is Kamadeva and householder, he possesses many wives.
(3) Vanaras and Rākṣasas :
The Jain authors have depicted Vanaras and Rākṣasas as Vidyadharas or Khecaras, a variety of sub-human beings possessing various lores like Ākāśagamana etc. Vimalasūri has