Paumchariyam Part 1

Author(s): Vimalsuri, Punyavijay, Harman
Publisher: Prakrit Granth Parishad

Page 17

INTRODUCTION
JAINA RĀMĀYAŅAS
Pk.
(School of Vimala)
(School of Guņabhadra) Sanghadāsa's version, (Pk.) Uttara-Purāne (Sk., 9th century A. D.) Pauma-Cariya-(Pk.)-not later (not later than 609 A.D.) than 4th century A.D. Harişena's version (Sk.)
(931-32 A. D.) closest to Vámīki's.
Sk.
Apbh,
Punyachandrodaya Mahā-Purāņa of . Sk.
Apbh. Purāņa of Krsna Puşpadanta 1. Chaupanna- 1. Padma-Purāņa of 1. *Pauma-Cariu of (16th century A.D.) (965 A.D.) Mabāpurisa'Ravişeņa
Svayambba Chariya of (678 A. D.)
(8th century A.D, ?) Silacharya (868 A. D.) 2. *Dharma-Parīksā
of Amitagati 2. *Dbürtākhyāna (1014 A. D.)
of Haribhadra (750 A. D.) 3. Yogaśāstra-svopajña-vstti
of Hemachandra 3. t Kabāvali of Bhadreśvara 4. Trişasti salaka-Purusa-Charitra
Not published. (11th century of Hemachandra (1160-72 A.D.)
Casual treatment of A. D.)
a few fanciful legends 5. Satrunjaya Mahātmya of Dhanesvara
Sanskrit. (14th century A. D.)
Prakrit.
Apbh. Apabhramśa. 6. FRäma-Caritra of Devavijayaganin
(1596 A. D.)
Key : 1
Sk.
Pk.
7. Laghu-Trişasti of Meghavijaya
(17th century A. D.) 4. OUTLINE OF THE RAMA STORY COMMON TO ALL THE JAINA FORMS :
The versions of Sanghadāsa and Harişena are very near to the Valmiki Rāmāyaṇa and are clearly based on it, excepting of course quite a few Jaina features. The versions of Vimala and Gunabhadra are typical of all the Jaina forms of the Rama legend. We, therefore, give here a brief outline of Rāma's story common to all the Jaina forms:
There was a king called Daśaratha of the Ikşvāku family, who ruled over Ayodhyā. He was blest with four princes called Rāma, Lakşmaņa, Bharata and Satrughna. There was, at the time, a king named Janaka who ruled over Videha. He had a daughter by name Sitä. Janaka gave her in marriage to Rāma.
Now there was a mighty king called Rávaņa who ruled over Lankā. He was fascinated by the wondrous beauty of that princess Sita. He carried her off by force to Lankā.. Rāma was stricken with profound sorrow at this misfortune.
There was a Vānara prince, Sugriva, who was deprived of his rightful place in Kiskindhā. He sought Rāma's alliance. Rāma, and Lakşmana helped Sugriva regain the kingdom of Kiskindha.