Jain Ramayan

Author(s): Gunratnasuri
Publisher: Jingun Aradhak Trust

Page 6

Preface
Since times immemorial Ramayana and Mahabharata have inspired, moulded and impressed the psyche, personality and social relations of the Indians, belonging to any state, any linguistic or ethnic group, following any sect or religion. These epics have originated in ancient aryaland. People of different racial stocks, people speaking different languages, people beleiving in diverse faiths and rituals resided here. Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata kept the intrinsic unity of India alive, inspite of the apparent diversity. Starting from India, this epic reached China, Japan, Malaysia, Java, Sumatra, Borneo Kambodia. It has also reached Iran, Arabian nations and Israel. This epic Ramayana mingled easily in these diversed cultural backgrounds and at times assumed
a totally new form.
In India, Ramayana has influenced and moulded our behaviour towards our parents, progeny, spouses and friends, more than any other book, religious edifice, statutory laws, and the preaching of spiritualists. An Indian, whether he is a Muslim, Parsee, Christian or a Jew, is fully or partly conversant with Ramayana. There might not be a single person in India, who is ignorant about the noble life of Rama. Some scholars believe that the stories of Rama existed in scattered forms, much before Valamiki Ramayana was compiled. Besides the Valamiki Rāmāyana, mahakavi Tulasidasa wrote Rāmcaritamanasa in Vraja language, which
is held high in esteem by most of the hindi speaking North Indians. Durgavar compiled Mita Rāmāyana in Bengali language. Divakara Bhatta wrote Ramayana in Kashmiri language. Ekanatha wrote Bhavartha Ramayana in Marathi and Mahakavi Kampana wrote the Pampa Ramayana in kannada. Most of these versions are loyal to the epic compiled by Valamiki, but they have a regional fervor of their own. These writers using their muse and genius have at times made additions which are very aesthetic and add to the beauty of the original Ramayana.
The Jain culture is an integral part of the Aryan culture. Contrary to the popular belief that lord Mahavira founded Jainism, the Jains believe that their pantheon is ageold. It existed much before the advent of Mahavira. Ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacarya and aparigraha are some of the gifts of Jainism to the modern world. The Jain culture is extensively found in India and some of the nations, surrounding India. However, we must remember that these nations were a part of the ancient undivided aryavrata.
Jain Rāmāyana : The Jain pantheon states that Lord Munisuvrat Svāmi, a Tirthankara, was born more than 11,75,000 years ago. Suvrata Muni, the spiritual teacher and master of Sri Rāma, was a descendant of Munisuvrat Svami. King Anaranya, the grand father of Rama, was born during his regime. The average life span of a man at that time was much longer. Rama must have been born much later. The Jain pantheon mentions that Lord Mahavira Svāmi learnt about Rāmāyana with his Kevalagyan and narrated it to his disciple Ganadhara Gautama, who compiled it in the form of sutras. It reached Sri Vimalasuri through the oral tradition. About 1996 years ago, he compiled the Ramayana in Magadhi language. This epic was called Paumacariyam.
Most of the people who follow other faiths, and to a certain extent even jain children and youths are ignorant of the fact that there exists a jain version of Ramayana.