Critical Study Of Paumacariyam

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

Page 49

20
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
15-19. He wages a battle with Varuņa but his forces are overpowered by the enemy. Ultimately with the help of Pavanañjaya, a Vanara king, he succeeds in making truce with Varupa. But during the truce Răvaņa keeps preparing for war. After some time, with the help of Hanu, the son of Pavanañjaya, he defeats Varuņa. Thereupon he becomes the sovereign of the three divisions of Bhāratavarşa (tikhandahivo i.e. ardhacakravartin).
20. Here king Śreņika requests Gautama to tell him about the great persons of the Jaina faith (Jinacakkaharāņa-uppatti), particularly about the origin and life of eighth Baladeva (i.e. Padma or Rama). Gautama then enumerates the birth-place, parentage, intervening period, age, height, etc. of the sixty-three illustrious persons (trişaşțišalakāpuruşa)
21-22. Gautama before relating the life of Rāma, narrates the origin of Harivamsa and gives in brief the life-sketch of Tirtharikara Munisuvrata who belonged to Harivaṁsa. He further tells us that Vásavaketu, a descendant of the same dynasty, ruling over Mithila begot a son, named Janaka on his wife Ilā. He narrates the episodes of some Ikşvāku rulers of Saketa, namely, Vajrabāhu, Kirti dhara, Sukošala, Naghusa and Saudāsa. He further enumerates their descendants up to Anaranya who begets two sons, Anantaratha and Dasaratha on his wife, Pệthvi. When his elder son becomes a monk, Anaranya enthrones Dasaratha and he himself renounces the world. Dasaratha marries Aparajitā and Sumitra.
Main Story 23. Gautama continues to narrate that once Nárada informs Dasaratha about the plot of Vibhīşaņa to assassinate Dasaratha and Janaka for saving Ravana from being killed by the would-be son of Dasaratha. Janaka was to beget a daughter, Sítā, who was destined to be the cause of Rāvana's death. So Dasaratha and Janaka leave their territories and wander incognito. Now at Saketa an effigy of Dasaratha is instituted in the palace. Vibhişana goes to Saketa, cuts off the head of Daśaratha and returns to Lanka with satisfaction.
24. Daśaratha, along with Janaka happens to reach Kautukamangalapura. There princess Kaikeyi (Kegai), the daughter of Subhamati, selects Dasaratha as her husband in her svayamvara ceremony. Some disgruntled candidates give a fight in which Dasaratha emerges victorious on account of the dexterity of Kaikeyi in driving his war-chariot. Dasaratha marries her, returns to Sāketa and grants her a boon in recognition of her war-services,