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246
Story of Rāma in Jain Literature
JAIN INFLUENCE ON THE HINDU RAMAYANAS
Sr.
Particular feature
Remarks
No.
Name of the Jain author Vimala Suri
i
Name/s of the Hindu work/s Bhāvärtha Râmāyana (16th century. Marathi) Padmapurana (Pātālakhanda)
Ravisenacărya
Names of the queens are not identical.
Bharata and Satrughna are uterine brothers (born of Kaikeyi) Dasaratha had four wives (Aparajita, Sumitra, Kekaya and Suprabhā) Rāma Bent and strung the bow in the presence of other princes who had arrived there at Mithilā to participate in the Sita-svayarhvara
3
The Hindu works are all later than Vimala's Paümacariya.
4
Sitä was born of Mandodari and Rāvana
Vimala Sari NȚsimha-purāņa,
Bhagavata-purāna, Tamila Rāmāyana, Telugu Ramayana, Maithili-Kalyana and Adhyātma-Rāmāy
ana Sanghadása (and Mahabhagavata (Guņabhadra) Devi-) Purana, and
Kasmiri Rāmāyaṇa. Vimala Suri Although Valmiki
speaks nowhere of Janaka's son, Vişnupurana and Vàyupurana speak of Bhänumán as
Janaka's son. Vimala Sûri Tamila Ramayana
5
Bhåmandala and Sită were born as twins of Videha and Janaka
The Hindu works are later than Jain versions. These Puranas are assigned to the 4th and the 5th centurics A.D.
6
With greater details and some variation Kambana describes this episode.
7
Gunabhadra
Ananda-Rāmāyana
Candranakhā (=Surpanakha) assumed the form of a lovely maiden and approached RāmaLaksmana (no dismemberment of her nose and ears) Ravana himself cuts off the illusory head of Sitā. The motif : Sitā draws the picture of Rävana at the direction of her cowives - this picture is the cause of scandal against her. The sons of Sità fight against Rama and Laksmana.
Bhadreśvara (and Bengali Rämāyana, Hemacandra) Kasmiri Rāmāyana,
Ananda-Rāmāyana, etc.
Is later than Guņabhadra's work. The Hindu works are later than the Jain versions.
Vimala Suri
With a good deal of variation.
Kathäsaritsägara, Ananda, UttaraRämacarita, and Jaiminiya Ašvamedha Telugu Rāmāyana and Ananda-Ramay- ana
10
Vimala Sūri
Lakşmana kills Sambuka, the son of Surpanakha.
With some variation.
