Jain Version of Ramayana

Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan

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मार्च २००९ .
The Jain Versions of Rāmāyaṇa (With Special Reference to Vimalasari Gunabhadra and Silāńka)
Dr. Nalini Joshi
Introduction:
There is no need to highlight the influence of Vālmiki Rāmāyana on further Indian Literature and Culture. Though hundreds of Brahmanic, Jaina and Buddhist versions of Rāmāyana are available, Vālmiki's position as Ādikavi is unanimously accepted. Some stray different traditions about the chief characters may be prevalent in the society, but Vālmiki was the first to present it in Epic form. For this paper, the date of the available Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmiki is assumed as 3rd Century B.C. According to the prominent scholars, of course the Bālakāņda and Uttarakāņda is spurious and there are some additions, here and there. Scope of the Research Paper :
Though there is a long tradition of Rāmakathā among Jainas, here I have purposefully selected a few of them. Vimalasūri's Paumacariya is the first Jain Rāmāyaṇa written in Jain Mahārastri or Arsa Prakrit in 3d Century A.D. We find both Svetâmbara and Digambara elements in Vimalasūri. Some of the scholars have opined that Vimalasuri represents Yāpaniya Sect, reconciling Sve. and Dig. views. Ravisena's Skt. Padmacarita (8th Cen. A.D.) is almost the replica of Prakrit Paumacariya of Vimalasūri. Ravişeņa has presented his Rämāyaṇa without mentioning the indebtedness of Vimalasuri, added some detailed descriptions and his Dig. attitude is quite clear. Apabhrarmsa Paumacariu written in the later half of the glh Century by Svayambhū, who was a householder (Srāvaka), almost imitates Vimalasūri and Ravişena. He mentions Ravişena but neglects Vimalasūri probably due to the sectarian bias.