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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
is the benefactor of his family. His blood boils when he sees injustice. He teaches a lesson even to his grandmaternal-uncle to take revenge of the wrong done to his mother, Añjanāsundarī by exiling her for no fault of her.
Ravana: In the Jaina tradition of the Rama-story, Ravana is the eighth Prativasudeva. He is a mighty conqueror. He attains so many spells (Vidyas) in his young age. The Ravana of the PCV is not a ten headed monster, but a normal human being. He is ambitious, but not beastly cruel. He has imposed on himself certain moral rigorous disciplines. He has taken a vow that he would not establish sex-relations with any women without her consent. He does not molest Sita though he is advised by Mandodari to use force. Even before his taking the vow, he is not an easy victim to the infirmities of the flesh. He does not fall in the trap of Uparambha on the contrary he reproaches her for her frailty. He is humane. Just before the final battle between him and Rama, Sita requests him not to kill Rāma and her brother, Bhamaṇḍala and she faints. Ravana is moved to pity. He curses himself that he brought about a train of miseries for Rama and Sītā. He decides to give up Sītā. But he is a warrior of repute, holding sway over a large part of Bharatavarșa and to yield is beyond his dignity. So he is determined to release Sita, only after having defeated Rama and
Lakṣmaṇa.
SO
many
arts
Kaikey-Kaikeyi's character has got a special treatment in the PCV. She is here free from jealousy and selfishness. She is a beautiful lady certainly younger than Aparajita and Sumitra, trained in She and sciences. had military training also which is apparent from the fact that she drove the warchariot of Dasaratha when the latter fell out with his rivals after the 'svayamvara' of Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi here also demands the throne for Bharata but the motive behind is not jealousy or selfishness. Both Dasaratha and Bharata decide to renounce the world. Kaikeyī finds herself deserted and forlorn. She wants to retain Bharata by throwing on his shoulders the responsibilities of a king. She resorts to the boon granted to her by Dasaratha. Rama along with Laksmana and Sita voluntarily goes into exile to enable Bharata to accept the throne. Dasaratha renounces the world. Aparajita and Sumitra are extremely miserable having neither husband nor childern to rely on. At their plight Kaikeyī is moved to pity. Then she goes to ask Rāma
