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

Page 198

169
INTERVENING STORIES
Kanakodarī, the wife of Sukantha had Lakṣmi as her cowife. Once Kanakodarī out of jealousy threw away in the street a Jina-idol which was installed by her cowife. When a nun, Samyamaśrī delivered a discourse on the right conduct, Kanakodarī reinstalled that idol in a shrine. She observed vows and was reborn as Añjanā.
The PCR (17. 166-196) agrees with the PCV. The PCS (19. 7. 3) merely refers to the throwing away of the Jina-idol in her previous birth by Añjana. The TSP (IV. 173) agrees with the PCV. The RPS (ch. 9) adds that the idol was not thrown out but concealed for 22 'ghatikās', hence Añjana had to suffer separation from her husband for 22 years.
35. The previous birth of Bhamandala or the story of Madhupingala and Kundalamandita:
Having listened to that a celestial being was guarding the embryo (of Bhamandala) conceived by the wife of Janaka, Śreņika enquired as to what was the relation between the god and the embryo. Then Gautama narrated the story (26. 1-73) elucidating the consequences of kidnapping another's wife.
Madhupingala, the son of a Purohita (Dhumaketu) and Śākhāmahila fell in love with Citrotsavā, the daughter of king Cakradhvaja of Cakrapura and Manasasundari. He absconded with her to Vidagdhanagara. There she was kidnapped by prince Kundalamandita. Distressed Madhupingala renounced the world and was reborn as a celestial being. Kundalamandita was captured by king Anaranya (of Saketa) on account of causing upheaval in the latter's territory. Later being pleased with his services Anaranya released him. Then Kundalamandita accepted layman's vows under a monk and when he was out to vanquish his foes, he died on the way and his soul1 descended into the womb of Videha, the wife of Janaka. The celestial being (Madhupingala) was guarding that embryo (of Bhamandala) to take revenge upon him. (When Bhamaṇḍala was born, he was kidnapped by that celestial being).
The PCR (26. 1-119) calls Manasasundarī as Manasvinī. The PCS (22. 6) merely refers to the story. The TSP (IV. p. 196f) mentions Madhupingala as the son of Svāhā and Dhumakeśa.
1.
At that time another soul of a celestial female also descended into her womb. That was the soul of Citrotsava who passing through some other births was reborn as a celestial being (See Story No.36). Thereafter she was born. as Sitä.