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Story of Rama in Jain Literature
Lakṣmaṇa died on Magha-Kṛṣṇa-Amavasya and went to Panka-prabha hell. Rāma put Laksmana's eldest son on the throne, gave the position of Crown-prince to the youngest son of Sita and offered him the kingdom of Mithila as well.
Rama one day accepted Samyama at the hands of Siva-gupta-the Kevalin. Sugrīva. Anuman, Vibhisana etc., and many Kumāras followed Rama by accepting Samyama.
Rama passed 395 years as a 'Chadmastha' and then destroyed the Ghati-Karmas and obtained Kevala knowledge. He lived as a Kevalin for 600 years and attained Nirvana on the 14th day of the bright half of Phalguna.
Sitǎ became an Arylka and in the next birth was born as a god. Lakṣmaṇa in due course would attain Nirvana after passing through many births.44
3. GUNABHADRA'S RAMAYANA - A CRITICAL STUDY
The summary of the contents of Gunabhadra's version at once shows how it is markedly different from the version of Vimala Suri. We undertake a comparison of the two versions with a view to bringing out their exact differences:
(1) A COMPARISON OF THE UTTARA-PURĀŅA AND THE PAUMA-CARIYA
(a) STORY ELEMENT:
Uttara-Purana
1. It opens with the description of the Pärva-Bhavas of Rama. Lakṣmaṇa. Sitǎ and Rāvana. Two of Sita's purvabhavas are described and three each of the rest.
2. 1) Rama's mother is named Subalā. 11) Lakṣmaṇa's mother is named Kaikeyl.
iii) The name of Bharata's mother is not given.
tv) The name of Satrughna's mother is not given.
3. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa were born at Varanast. Bharata and Satrughna were born at Ayodhya.
4. Ravana's parents are called Pulastya and Meghasri.
5. Ravana's genealogy:
Sahasra-griva
Palma-Cariya
It describes the previous births nearly at the end (Canto 103) of the epic. These births are told differently and their number varies e.g., 8 of Rama's births are given.
Rama's mother is named Aparajita. Lakṣmaṇa's mother is named Sumitra. Bharata's mother is named Kaikey). Satrughna's mother is named Kaikeyl.
All the four were born at Ayodhya.
Ravana's parents are called Ratnaśravā and Kekasi.
Ravana's genealogy: Sukesa
44. vv. 724-31 give synoptic review of the contents of this Rama-Purana.
