________________
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
In the VR Indra sends a chariot, a bow, an armour, arrows and a Sakti to Rāma through Matali (6.102.12-151). Rāma severs the limbs and the head of Ravana but they reappear as many times as he severs them off. Here Rāvana is not said to have ten faces and twenty arms. Rama then on the advice of Matali, shoots Paitāmaha arrow into the (heart) chest of Ravana (6.108.18) and kills him. This arrow is said to have been given to Rāma by Agastya who had got it from Brahmā (6.108). Rāvana is said to have attained heaven (6.109.24).
100
The TR agrees with the VR. It additionally mentions the conjuring up of many counterfeits of himself by Ravana with the power of his māyā (6.95). Here on the advice of Vibhīṣaṇa, Rama shoots an arrow in the navel of Ravana, which was the receptacle of nectar and hurls thirty other arrows to sever his heads and arms. Rāvana then dies (6.103) and attains the 'dhama' of Rama (6 104).
According to the Rāmopakhyāna, Rāvana creates many illusory Rāmas and Lakṣmaṇas (3.290.8), but it does not mention the reappearing of his limbs and the tendering of any advice by Matali or Vibhiṣaṇa. Rāvana is burnt to ashes on being shot by the Brahmastra of Rama (32.90.30).
The Raghuvamsa also does not mention the reappearing of the limbs or heads of Rāvana.
According to the Birhora Rama story Lakṣmaṇa is said to have killed Rāvana (Bulcke, p. 395).
From Rama's march to Lanka up to the death of Ravana (Subsections A to J):
The PCR generally agrees with the PCV. The name of one of the four girls offered to Lakṣmaṇa by Samudra differs from that of the PCV (PCV, 54 43; PCR, 54.68). It additionally mentions the defeating of Khecara Suvela of Suvelanagara before reaching Hamsadvipa (54.70). Here Rama promises the crown of Lanka to Vibhīṣaṇa when the latter takes shelter under the former (55.73). According to the PCS they cross the sea driving in aerial cars (56.9). Nīla and Nala (56.11) defeat two Vidyadharas, Setu and Samudra who are in service of Ravana. Setu and Samudra offer five girls to Laksmana
1. According to the PCV Garuḍādhipati had supplied the Simhavahini-vidya, a plough and a pestle (hala-musala) to Rama and the Garuda-vidya and Vijjuvadana club to Lakṣmaṇa. Two Chariots, some weapons & missiles (Agneya & Varuna) were also supplied to them (59.84).
