Critical Study Of Paumacariyam

SR No.: 022643
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: K R Chandra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa
Publication Year: 1970
Total Pages: 672
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English & Book_Devnagari
File Size: 18 MB

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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAN
SECTION VIII
THE KILLING OF RĀVANA
A. March to Lankā :
According to the PCV, after receiving the news of Sita through Hanumat, Rama along with the Vanara army marches towards Lanka on the fifth day of the dark Märgaśīrşa (54.28). On the way Nala subdues Samudra, the lord of Velandharapura or Suvelapura situated in the valley of Velandhara hill. The defeated lord offers his four daughters to Lakşmana in marriage. Further they defeat Hamsaratha, the lord of the Harsadvīpa situated in the vicinity of Lankapuri. A fresh message is sent again to Bhămandala (54. 46) by Rāma.
According to the VR, Rāma's army consisting of the Vanaras traversing the Sahya and the Malaya mountains (6.4.94) reach Mahendragiri (6.4.92) and encamp on the seashore (6.4.100). The VR does not refer to Velandharapura and Hamsadvīpa. It is only after crossing the sea that Rāma climbs up a mountain named Suvelaśaila (6,38) to take a view of Larkā. There is no king like Samudra, but it is the sea itself which comes in their way. When the sea does not allow a passage, Rāma worships it for three days (6.21.10). Even then the sea is not appeased. Rama then at first pierces arrows in the cea (6.21.26) and then as soon as he is ready to hurl the 'Brahmăstra', the presiding deity of the sea (Sagara) appears before Rāma, begs his pardon and advises him to appoint Nala, the son of Viśvakarman (6.22) to construct a bridge over the sea. Sagara names his country as Drumakulya. Rama hurls his arrow towards it. That place comes to be known as Marukāntāra (6.22) (36-37). Only the bridge is built by Nala and the sea is crossed. Here before the appearing of the deity of the sea and after the exile of Vibhîşaņa from Larika, Sardūla and Suka? (6.20) are sent by Ravana to spy against Rāma (6.25). These references are not found in the PCV.
The TR does not refer to the hills mentioned above (5.35). Suka is said to have been expelled by Ravana when he requested Rāvana to give up Sītā. Suka then paid homage to Rāma and left for his
1. The Tilaka commentary mentions the eighth or the seventh day of dark
Margasirga (6.4.5,6,7) as the date of their march. 2. This spying work by sārdūla and sūka is not mentioned in the North West
and the Gaudiya versions-Bulcke, p. 377.