________________
58
our notice that Sīlācārya's Rāvana is after Valmiki's as he speaks of him in such terms as भुवणतावणो, 'बलवमकज्जायरणेण दूसिओ कलुसियचरित्तो' विज्जागव्विओ, खल and क्रूर.
STUDIES IN JAIN LITERATURE
Vimala's Rāvana is nearly a perfect hero with one defect only, viz., his passion for Sītā.
Śīlācārya does not count the Prativasudevas, such as Rāvana, among the 'Uttama' or 'Mahā'-or 'Śalākā'-purusas. Naturally, the name Rāvana does not find place in the title.
Silācārya's Influence on Hemacandra ?
Winternitz observes in connection with Hemacandra's work"Trisaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacarita'-that the Cauppannamahāpurisacariya of Sīlācārya must be taken into consideration while investigating sources which Hemacandra drew upon for his poem (see pp. 505-506). As far as the version of Rāmāyaṇa is concerned, it can definitely be asserted that not Sīlācārya's but Vimalasūri's Paümacariya is Hemacandra's source.
(vii) Uttarapuraṇa of Gunabhadra (9th Century A. D.): Gunabhadra, who is a Digambara poet, presents Rama-story which is widely different from that of his Digambara predecessor. His version is largely dependent on the Hindu Rāmāyaṇa, borrows a few features from Sanghadāsa, speaks of Dasaratha's rule over Vārāṇasī for the first time, possibly after the Dasaratha Jātaka, and has some traits peculiar to Jain versions of Vimala and others. As a result of this conglomeration of features from various sources Gunabhadra's version gains quite a new look and form and naturally it is regarded as presenting. an independent tradition.
Gunabhadra's Contribution to the story of Rama: According to Gunabhadra, Vārāṇasī was originally the capital of Dasaratha, who migrated to Ayodhya (and made it his capital) after Sagara's family was completely annihilated; Janaka gave his daughter Sitä in marriage to Rāma who protected the sacrifice undertaken by him; Rāma, with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, went to Vārāṇasī, their old capital, in order to safeguard the interests of their subjects; at Narada's instigation, Rāvaṇa was enamoured of Sītā; Rāvaṇa sent Surpanakha, his sister, as a dūtī to Sītā; Laksmana fought against Välin and killed him; and finally, Ravana cut off the illusory head of Sītā and threw it before Rāma (this detail is borrowed from Välmiki).
Gunabhadra's influence over later writers: Gunabhadra's story, however, does not seem to be as popular as that of Vimala. We find his version given by Puspadanta only. On the authority of Dr. Narsimhachar we may add here that
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
