Paumacariu
Summary
The article discusses Svayambhudeva’s Paumacariu, an epic of Apabhramsa literature that reconstructs the Rama story according to Jaina tenets. The author argues that while Valmiki’s Ramayana is the earliest Sanskrit version, Jaina cultures sustained a vast, continuous literary interest in the narrative. Svayambhudeva, acknowledged as a great poet and belonging to the Yapaniya sect, composed Paumacariu between the 8th and 9th centuries A.D., though his exact dates are uncertain. The epic consists of five books (kandas) and begins with a homage to the Tirthankaras. The narrative is framed by King Srenika (Bimbisara) of Magadha meeting Mahavira on Mount Vipula and requesting the correct Jaina version of the Rama story to counter distorted versions in other faiths. Gautama then recounts the story beginning with Rsabha, the first Tirthankara. Rsabha introduces kingship and marriage, fathers Bharata and Bahuvali, and eventually renounces the world. Bharata becomes the first cakravarti, but his Divine Disc refuses to enter Ayodhya until he conquers his brother Bahuvali of Potanapura (Taxila). After a duel, Bahuvali achieves spiritual awakening, renounces the world, and attains kevala-knowledge, while Bharata rules from Ayodhya. The text also notes that Ravisena’s Sanskrit Padma-caritam (660 A.D.) is a verbatim reproduction of Vimala Suri’s Paumacariya, and that Svayambhudeva also wrote Rathanemicariu and a treatise on metrics.
Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.
Conclusion
This article establishes Svayambhudeva’s *Paumacariu* as a foundational epic of Apabhramsa literature and a vital Jain retelling of the Rama narrative. The text highlights the work’s significance within the broader Indian literary tradition, which includes Sanskrit, Prakrit, and regional adaptations of the Rama story. By framing the narrative through a Jain lens, beginning with the Tirthankara Rishabha and emphasizing the triumph of spiritual renunciation over worldly conquest, the epic offers a distinct religious perspective on the popular epic cycle. The analysis underscores Svayambhudeva’s literary mastery and the *Paumacariu*’s role in sustaining Jain cultural identity across centuries. Ultimately, the work exemplifies how non-Brahminical traditions adapted mainstream epics to reflect their specific theological tenets, thereby enriching the diverse tapestry of Indian literature and religious history.