Critical Study Of Paumacariyam

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

Page 98

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RĀMA-STORY
69 Mārīca though first unwilling to help, later on advises Ravana to send Śūrpanakhā and ascertain whether Sītā has any affection for him. Śūrpanakhā goes to the Citrakūța garden where Rama and Sita are sojourning. She in the disguise of an old lady-gardener enquires from Sitā and comes back with a report that Sita is very faithful to her husband and cannot be seduced at all (68. 115-182). Considering the report a lie, Rāvana himself driving in his Puşpaka-vimāna goes there along with Mārīca. The latter transforms himself into a golden deer and dupes Rāma. Lakşmana is not there at that time (68. 199). The MP also agrees with this account. In it Śūrpanakhā is called Candanahi. She goes there in the disguise of a Kañcuki and pretends herself to be mother of (71. 19) the gardener.
D. Forcible removal of Sitā by Rāvaņa to Laikā:
According to the PCV when Sītā is left alone with Jațayu, Ravana removes her by force. He overpowers the vulture and flees away taking her in his Puşpaka-vimāna (44. 39-42). Khecara Ratnajațin obstructs the passage of Rāvana and tries to rescue Sīta, but Rāvana nullifies the power of the Vidyās of that Khecara as a result of which the latter falls down on the Kambudvipa (45. 32). On the way Rāvana implores Sītā to become his wife but she rebukes him (46. 1-10). He reaches Lankā, puts Sità in the Devaramana Park and himself goes to his palace (46. 15). He deputes Mandodars to persuade Sītā. Mandodarī requests Ravaņa to use force but the latter tells her of his vow of not using force on any unwilling woman. Mandodarī fails to persuade Sitā. Then Rāvana himself tries to seduce Sítā first by putting allurements before her and then by conjuring dreadful and monstrous beasts and hobgoblins. But Sitā is firm. Vibhīşana is unable to see her plight. He admonishes Rāvanā. But the latter is adamant, and arranges for Sītā's abode under the Asoka grove of Padma-udyāna. He sends his maid-servants to seduce Sita but all in vain.
According to the VR, when Sīta is left alone, Rāvaņa approaches her in the disguise of a Parivrājaka (3.46,2) and talks a while with her. He asks her to become his wife. She condemns her for his malicious intentions. He resumes his real form and forcibly takes her away in his chariot (3.49.16). He cuts off the limbs of the intervening Jayāyu (3.51.42). During his flight Sītā drops her upper garment and some ornaments when she observes five monkeys sitting on a hill (3.54.2).
1. He took his vow when he paid homage to Muni Anantavirya (14. 153).