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 PAUMACARIYAM
Śrīvardhita's Raksasa-marriage with princess Sundarā (77.85) fall under 'anuloma' type. A Brahmin woman though abandoned by her husband was accepted by king Kararuha as his honoured wife (77. 75). King Svayambhū and some princes (103.97) did not hesitate in demanding the hand of the girl of a higher caste (Brahmin girl Gupamati) These two instances are of 'pratiloma' type.
Inter-racial Marriages:-As regards inter-racial marriages there were no restrictions among the non-Aryan people. The Aryans also did form wedlocks with the non-Aryans. Inter-racial marriages were very common with the non-Aryans. Rākṣasa Răvaņa married many Vidyadhara (Mandodari 8.18, and others 8.38;9.51), Khecara (953), and Vänara (Sriprabhā, the sister of Sugrīva 9.50) girls. Khecara or Vānara Hanumat married Vidyādhara (Satyamatī 19.32), Raksasa (Anaügakusuma 19.34 and Lajkasundari 52.21), Vānara (Harimālini 19.36, Padmarāga 19.41) and Kinnara (19.36) girls. Vānara Sugrīva's wife, Tārā was a Khecari (10.2). Vānara Kişkindha was the husband of Vidyādharī Śrīmālā (6.175). Khecara Pavanañjaya formed marital-union with Vidyadhari Añjaná (15.38). The non-Aryans did like to form wedlocks with the Aryan girls. Ravana kidnapped Sitā and requested her to marry him. He himself married the daughter of king Maruta of Rājagļha (11.100) and many other Aryan girls (Vijjāharamaņuyāņam! kannão......parinei Dasāņano 9.51). Vidyadhara Candragati demanded Sītā for his adopted son Bhamandala (28.56). Raksasi Candranakhã wanted to marry Rāma (43.45). The Aryan people did not hesitate in forming wedlocks with the non-Aryan girls and the kings made them even one of their chief queens. Rāma had married three daughters of Vidyadhara Gandharva? (51.25) and one more Vidyadhari, namely Śrīdāma (90.28). Lakşmaņa married four daughters of Khecara Samudra3 (54.42) and also Vidyādharī Manoramă (90.28). Vidyadhari Manorama was one of the eight principal queens of Vasudeva Lakşmaņa (91,16) while Vidyādhari Śrīdāmā was one of four chief queens of Rāma (91.18). Lavana and Alikuśa married Khecara girls in a 'svayamvara' type of marriage (106.9). King Sumitra was married to Vanamālā by the latter's father who was a Bhilla, also called as an Anārya chief of the Mlecchas (12.13-14).
Other literary evidences also corroborate inter-caste marriages. According to the Mahabharata sage Cyavana married princess Sukanya
1. Here the reference to the 'manuyānam is to the Aryan girls. 2. See PCR, 51. 16. 3. Ibid, 54-66.