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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
Rddhis:-Tha PCV mentions that various types of supernatural powers could be attained by practising proper penances and meditation (napaladdhisu settisampannā 86.7). Monks are said to have acquired (soul powers) Ṛddhis on account of self-contemplation, selfdiscipline and austerities (uppanna riddhivihava 14.82) and with their help they performed miracles (abbhuyakammāņi kuvvanti). Some Ṛddhis have been specifically named in the PCV while in some cases merely their efficacy is described. They can be mentioned as follows:
(1) The Ṛddhis of Koşṭhabuddhi, Padānusārī and Sambhinna śrotṛtva (14.85). (2) The Vikriyalabdhi (70.29), the powers of making the sun lustreless, covering the moon, causing rain (14.83) and shaking the Mandara mountain (14.84). (3) The power of faring into the sky (15.84), and the Caraṇa (3.156) or the Caturangula Carapa Śramaņas' who moved speedily from place to place (84.9). (4) The power of produ cing fire (41.34). (5) The power of curing a disease by the mere touch of dust of the foot. (14 84) and (6) the madhu-Kṣīrasarpis-amṛtasraviRiddhis (14, 45). These various spiritual powers can be compared with the Riddhis mentioned in the Titoyapannatti which (4.967-1091) associates with the Ganadharas of the Tirthankaras eight classes of Rddhis with their 64 sub-kinds. These eight classes of Ṛddhis are described as follows: (1) buddhi (learning and enlightment). (2) Vikriya (capacity to change physical body at one's will), (3) Kriya (capcity to move in the sky. water, fire, smoke, air etc.), (4) Tapa (power of austerites), (5) Oşadhi (capacity of healing disease). Rasa (capacity to change the elements in to liquids (7) Bala (capacity of exhibiting miraculous strength) and (8) Kṣiti (capacity to make a thing inexhaustible). The powers quoted above from the PCV fall under the first six classes of Ṛddhis the TP respectively.
Vidyas:-Vidyas are mentioned to have been mastered by men (7.73) and women (5.1.8) alike to get fulfilled their desire which entailed performance of extrordinary feats on the part of the desirous one. They are said to be presided over by some female deities (7.73.130; 47.43; 64.27; 68.46). These deities presented themselves before their masters whenever the latter remembered them and then the deities helped their masters in accomplishing their works.
These Vidyas are said to have been mastered by performing meditation in solitary places such as caves (10. 13). forests (51. 14;
Jañghācāraṇa Śraman as in the
1. The Caturangula-caranas are called TP, (4.1037).
