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SOURCES, CONTRIBUTION AND INFLUENCE OF PCV.
347
Then Ravana replies that if he returns Sītā to Rāma, he would become an object of ridicule. He thinks why should he fear Vişnu, when he has conquered many Devatās (Gaudiya, 6.41; N-W, 6.42 ; VRTP, 132). Rāvana perpares for entering the battlefield after the killing of Prahasta. At that time Mandodarī along with the ministers requests Ravana to sign a pact of Sandhi with Rāma because he is not an ordinary person (Gaudiya, 6.33; N-W, 6. 35). Then Ravana replies that he has previously defeated the Devatās and now he will defeat Rāma also (Gaudiya, 6.34.; N-W, 6,36; VRTP, 131).
It is held by Dr. W. Ruben that the Adi Rāmāyaṇa started bifurcating into two recensions, the Southern and the Northern during the first or the second century A. D. The topics which are not found in the Southern recension but are present in both the Gauţiya and the N-W. versions should be regarded as forming the original 'pātha' of the Northern recension or the Udicya 'pāțha' only. The Udicya recension went on swelling with interpolations uptil approximately before the sixth century A.D. (See VRTP, p. 30-31).
Now as far as the above points are concerned it is more probable that the PCV is influenced by the Udicya recension of the VR, but nothing definite can be said and it may be vise-versa also in some cases.
(6) Portions found exclusively in the Southern recension: (i) Hanuman's fight with Larikādevī (S. VR, 5.3.20-51; VRTP,82).
(ii) Mandoparī's advice to Rāvana to force Sītā to yield to him and Rāvana's refusal to do the same because of his vow of not establishing sexual relations with any unwilling woman (PCV, 46.29-32). Mahāpārsva's advice and Rāvana's refusal on account of the curse of Pitāmaha (VRTP, 110).
It is held by Dr. W. Ruben that the Adi Rāmāyana started bifurcating into two recensions-i. e, the Southern and the Northern (Udicya) by the time of the first or second century A. D. (VRTP, p. 30). Thus the portions which are exclusively found in the Southern recension are interpolated later. As regards the abve mentioned points we cannot be sure about the infiuence of the VR on the PCV or vice-versa. It is also probable that Vimalasūri was acquainted with the Udicya recension and he came into contact with the Southern recension also or vice-versa as far as the similarity of the points of the Udicya and the Southern recension with those of the PCV reveal. (c) Portions found exclusively in the Southern recension
and the N-W. version :
