Critical Study Of Paumacariyam

Author(s): K R Chandra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa

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OUTLINE OF THE BOOK
The Thesis is divided into two parts. Part one deals with the comparative and critical study of the narrative material of the Paumacariyam and part two comprises of the cultural study. The whole work has been arranged into twelve chapters, the first six forming part one and the next six, part two.
The first chapter contains the critical survey of the text of Paumacariyam edited by Dr. H. Jacobi and the sect and the date of the author. The second is a summary of Paumacariyam chapterwise. The Third chapter contains a comparative study of the Rāmakatha of Paumacariyam with that of the Valmiki Ramayana and the Tulasi Rāmāyaṇa in particular to find out the points of agreement and disagreement. In the fourth chapter all the intervening stories of the Paumacariyam have been summarised and an attempt has been made to find out their sources and their influence. The fifth chapter is a comparative study of the origin and the genealogical lists of various Vamsas given in the Paumacariyan with that of the Brahmanical tradition. In the sixth chaper an attempt has been made to trace out the sources of the Rama-Katha of the Paumacariyam as well as of the intervening stories. The original contribution of Vimalasuri and his influence on various Jaina and non-Jaina, Indian and Foreign Rama-kathās have also been discussed.
The seventh chapter treats of the social conditions reflected in the Paumacariyam. Its first section deals with the Jaina and Brahmanical concept of caste or Jati, and the division of the ancient society into four Varnas and Aśramas. The second section is a study of the institution of family and the harmonious life of its members, their rights and duties. Various relations also have been noted. The third section treats of the functions and ceremonies of birth, childhood and marriage as well as the considerations on which marital alliances were settled, the types of marriages prevalent and the position of intercaste and inter-racial marriages. The fourth section comprises of the position of women in the family and society, as a maiden, a wife, a mother and a widow. Then their social status outside the family as weil as the political and religious status have been discussed. The sixth section includes the manners, customs and beliefs of the ancient society. The seventh section contains a discussion of the supernatural elements concerning heaven and hell and associated with the life of great personages.