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JAIN JOURNAL
Jaina version of Rama story is basically the same as found in the Hindu works on Rama story by Valmiki, Vyasa, and Tulasidas“. On the strength of the available Rama legend in various Jaina works, it would, therefore, be wrong to assume that the image of Rama and Sita on the outer wall of the Parsvanatha temple was the depiction of the Hindu version of Rama and Sita.
The Parsvanatha temple shelters in a niche another frieze of Rāmakathā, depicted on the southern facade, near the Sikhara. In the scene Sita, after having been abducted by Ravana, has been portrayed as sitting under the shade of a tree at Asoka vātikā in Lanka and the monkey-faced Hanumana surrounded by demons, with swords in their hands, is shown imparting the message of Rama and his ring to Sita. This depiction again rests on the strength of the Jaina works, like Paumacariyam”, Uttarapurāņa and others, which speak of the event.
5
Ibid., p. 5. Ibid., 53. 11.
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