Jain Journal 1971 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 14

The History of the Kulagaras and
the Early Life of Brsabna
Vijjaharalogavanṇana, Paumacariya
[The Paumacariya (Padma Carita) is the first Prakrit epic. Written by Vimala Suri 530 years after the demise of Mahavira. (93 A.D.), it is in pure Jaina Maharastri and in the Arya metre, which is the real metre of Prakrit poetry. It begins with the description of the world, especially the world of Vidyadharas and a glorification of the first Tirthankara Brsabha (or Rsabha). Then follows the life of Padma (or Rama). Whereas the heroes of the Ramayana move in an entirely Brahmanical atmosphere, in the Paumacariya the religion of the Jina is everywhere very much to the fore. As in all narrative poems of the Jainas, the preliminary stories are told with a great wealth of detail. Edited by H. Jacobi it was published from Bhavnagar in 1914. ]
Ākāsa or space is infinitely infinite and in the centre of that is situated the world which is without a beginning and is divided into three divisions.
The world is at the bottom, like a cane-seat. The middle portion resembles a Jhallari while the top has the shape of a Muraja.
The whole resembles a Tala and is encircled by three circles. In the midst is human world divided in many islands and oceans.