Story Of Rama In Jain Literature

Author(s): V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Saraswati Pustak Bhandar

Page 59

Pauma-Cariva of Vimala Sari
Răma and Sitā, seated on the elephant Bhuvanālamkāra go to Rāvana's palace and pay homage to śāntiràtha. Rāma consoles Sumāli and Vibhisana etc., dwelling on karman and the nature of samsára. At the request of Vibhisana they go to his mansion. There is the sanctuary of Padmaprabha whom they honour. Vibhişına makes all preparations for Räma's Abhiş ka. He, however, declines the honour lest Bharata would feel offended. Laksmana and Råma send for the brides to whom they were betrothed; they arrive, and arc married to.53 Rama and party thus spend happily six years at Lankā.
The Raksasa heroes who took to asceticism attain Nirvāņa. Maya practising penance obtains many supernatural powers. In the end the Canto tells us about the previous life of a king as described by Maya.5. (Lecture of Maya)
CANTO LXXVIII :
Aparajitā laments the separation of Rāma. Nārada going to Lankā informs Råma and Lakşmaņa of the miserable plight of their mothers. Räma tells Vibhisana that he must leave for Sketa. Vibhi ana requests bim to stay on for 16 days. Then messengers are sent to Bbarata. The city of Saketa is decorated to welcome the brothers. (Description of the City of Säketa)
CANTO LXXIX :
Rama and party on the scheduled day start for Säketa in the Puspaka vimana. On Sita's inquiry, Rāma points out to her the different places they had wandered over together. They reach Säketa. Bharata meets Rāma. They all then enter the city, cagerly looked at by the public. The mothers Aparajita etc., are overjoyed at the sight of their sons. (Union of Rama and Laks nana with their mothers)
Han.
53 Rāma, Laksmana (and Hanumat) are married here to many women. According to the
Rāmāyana of Valmiki Hanumat is an ideal Brahmacărin, Laksmana is married to Urmila only and Rāma to Sitā alore; and he is portrayed there as an ideal husband deeply devoted to Sitā. The change introduced by Vimala Süri seems to mar the intensity of love between
Rāma and Sitä and so does not appear to be praiseworthy. 54 vv. 69-70 tell us that a sati like Sita obtains (by virtue of her chastity) heaven, and that
there is considerable difference between man and woman. w. 73-113 give the story of king Srivardhita. He was the son of a teacher called Bhargava. In Vyäghrapura he learns at the feet of a teacher, then elopes with Sila, the daughter of the king of that town; he is pursued by his brother-in-law called Sirhendu. He defeats him and his army, pleases king Kararuha, obtains the kingdom of Potana. Now, after the death of Sukanta, his father, Sinhendu is routed by his enemies, he and his wife escape through an under-ground passage (Suranga : this is one of the test words which make Jacobi assign the epic to a late date.) to find shelter with Srivarchita, On his way he is bitten by a snake; is taken on her shoulders by his wife to Muni Maya by whose grace her husband regains consciousness. Srivardhita is sert for, they all meet. Maya te'ls the king the story of his previous life, and that of his mother's. Maya then flies through the air to some other place,