Studies in Jain Literature

Author(s): V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre

Page 55

ORIGIN OF THE STORY OF RĀMA IN JAIN LITERATURE
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instances of realistic representation from Vimala's epic.
(c) Ridding the story of divine elements
Vālmīki Rāmāyana represents Rāma as a divine being, an incarnation of god Visnu. The story of Vedavatī in the Uttarakānda leads us to believe that Sītā was Laksmī, Bharata, Laksmana and Satrughna are Amśāvatāras of Visnu. The Vānaras, Rksas etc. too possess some divine element. Jainism does not admit of the supremacy of the trinity of Hindu gods. Naturally Vimala rids the story of Rāma of the divine elements. (d) Elevation :
According to the Vālmīki-Rāmāyana, Kaikeyi is a selfish, greedy and intriguing woman. Rāma kills Vālin treacherously and is guilty of killing Sambūka. Rāvana is a tyrant, an oppressor of mankind etc., violently obstructing sacrifices, and he abducts women. Vālin is a usurper, and unlawfully takes possession of his brother's wife and kingdom. Vimalasūri takes a very sympathetic view of these characters, and attempts to clear them of blame. He represents Kaikeyi as a mother par excellence who is prepared to let her husband accept asceticism but desperately tries to retain her loving son. She does not demand Rāma's exile. Välin, a mighty Vidyādhara hero, though capable of inflicting a crushing defeat on Ravana, voluntarily appoints Sugrīva to the throne and himself becomes a monk. This account acquits Vālin of the shameful charge of living with his brother's wife, and Rāma of the charge of treacherously slaying Vālin, who had done no harm to him. Laksmana kills Sambūka by accident and this exonerates Rāma completely from the guilt of slaying Tapasvin. Rāvana is a pious and devout Jain. He restores ruined Jain shrines. As far as possible he avoids 'hiṁsā' whenever he has to fight. In his worldconquest he is shown to have subdued his enemies whom he later on sets free and restores to them their kingdoms. His only weakness is his passion for Sītā !
Thus it will be seen that Vimala is very keen on elevating his characters.
(e) Purging the story of Rāma of its Brahmanical atmosphere :
In the Vālmīki Rāmāyana the heroes move in an entirely Brahmanical atmosphere. From the beginning to the end the poem breathes this atmosphere. Numerous Brahmanical legends and myths such as those of Vaśistha, Viśvāmitra, Agastya, Vedavatī, and so on, are inserted in the narrative. The performance of Aśvamedha sacrifice is described with approval. The main characters are represented as avatāras of the great Hindu god-Visnu. Vimalasuri, who is out "to give his co-religionists a complete substitute for the Hindu epic",