Collected Research Papers in Prakrit and Jainology Vol 02

Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: University of Pune

Page 24

totally new meanings of the words, viz. Vānara and Rākşasa.- Jaina authors feel that Vālmīki's depiction of Vānaras and Rākşasas is unbelievable and irrational.
(4) Doctrine of Karman and other Jaina Tenets
Doctrine of Karman is the backbone of Jaina Philosophy. According to this theory, every misery and happiness is connected with the rise of the fruits of good and bad karmans which are performed previously. Most of the important incidents in Rāmakathā are explained in the light of
Karmasiddhānta. While explaining the painful separation of Padma and Sītā', the agonies in the
life of Añjanā , the infatuation of Bhāmandala towards Sīta ", the Jaina authors have not missed the opportunity to elaborate the doctrine of Karman. When Sītā embraces Diksā, she explains the
theory of Karman in nutshell. In all Jaina Rāmakathās, every now and then, we find the keywords of Jainaism like Vairāgya, Samyama and Diksā. During the preaching of Munis, the conduct of layman and monk is narrated at length.
(5) Ascetics and their dwellings
In Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa we find several names of sages, ascetics, their dwellings (i.e. Aśramās), their preaching and giving out different lores and weapons to Rāma and Lakşmaņa. In the Jaina versions, we see complete Jainaification in this respect. Every now and then we find the descriptions of Jaina Sadhus, Munis, Anagaras and Kevalins engaged in giving religious sermons,
ing bigger and smaller vows to householders. There are Jinamandiras, Chaityas and places of pilgrimage. Padma, Sītā, Hanumāna, Rāvana etc. visit these places, worship and adore in Chaityas and attend the religious assemblies.
(6) An approach to the Sacrifices
In Vālmīki Rāmāyana we find ample references of various sacrifices and sacrificial acts. Vimalasūri and Gunabhadra had attempted to offer new allegorical meanings to these sacrificial
acts for enhancing the Jaina tenets like Ahimsā, Samyama and Tapas. The discussion about the
meaning of the word '34' occurs in Vimalasūri's and Gunabhadra's Rāmāyaṇa. The protest against the Brahmnic sacrificial institution can be seen in the major Jaina versions.
(7) Introducing the character of Närada
It is well known that Nārada is a Paurāņika figure and is added to Vālmīki Rāmāyana sporadically in Bālakānda and Uttarakānda. This interesting character is introduced often in all
major Jaina Rāmāyaṇas to accelerate the speed of the main story in convincing manner. Nārada frequently visits Padma and Rāvana, carries messages and gives detailed reports of various incidents. We find the peculiar character of Nārada in Ardhamāgadhi canons like Nāyādhammakaha' and Rşibhāṣita. 10 "The Episodes of Nārada in Jaina Literature is an interesting subject of a separate research paper.