Hindi Ramayan Manas

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the comparison between the Jain "Paumacariu" and the Hindi "Ramcharit Manas":

The article, authored by Dr. Lakshminarayan Dubey, explores the profound connections and influences between the Jain epic "Paumacariu" (Padmacharitra), composed by Mahakavi Svayambhu, and the widely revered Hindi epic "Ramcharit Manas", by Goswami Tulsidas.

Authors and Eras:

• Svayambhu: Considered the "Valmiki of Apabhramsha," his "Paumacariu" was written between 850-860 CE. There's scholarly debate about his exact lifespan, with estimates ranging from the 8th to the 9th century CE.
• Tulsidas: The creator of "Ramcharit Manas," lived from approximately 1582 to 1628 CE. He is known as the "Awadhi Valmiki."

Sources and Influences:

• Both Svayambhu and Tulsidas drew heavily from Valmiki's Ramayana as their primary source.
• Rahul Sankrityayan's theory: He believed Tulsidas likely encountered Svayambhu's Ramayana, suggesting that Tulsidas's phrase "क्वचिदन्यतोपि" (from somewhere else too) in "Ramcharit Manas" might implicitly refer to Jain scriptures. He argues that since Tulsidas exhaustively consulted all known Brahmanical texts, this phrase points to a source outside that tradition, like the Jain Ramayana.
• Dr. Nemichandra Shastri's opinion: He supports the idea that Tulsidas was influenced by Svayambhu's "Paumacariu" and "Bhavisayavaha."
• Dr. Udaybhanu Singh's counter-argument: He posits that Tulsidas's sources were exclusively from the Brahmanical tradition and that any similarities with Buddhist-Jain Ramayanas are coincidental due to shared source material. He believes it's incorrect to assume influence solely based on surface-level resemblances.

Literary and Structural Similarities:

• Storyline: Both are character-driven narratives (charitkavya) categorized as epic poems.
• Character Depiction:
  • Rama: Svayambhu's Rama is presented more humanistically, closer to modern interpretations, while Tulsidas's Rama is the Supreme Being.
  • Ravana: Svayambhu's poetical heart was more engaged with Ravana than with Rama, and he depicts Ravana with a stronger focus on his sensuality.
  • Sita: Svayambhu's descriptions of Sita are detailed and sensual (nakha-shikh), focusing on external beauty. Tulsidas's portrayal of Sita emphasizes inner beauty and purity.
  • Laxman: In Svayambhu's work, Laxman kills Ravana because he is a Vasudeva.
• Narrative Devices:
  • Enquiries in Separation: Both poets portray their protagonists, Rama and Sita respectively, asking various creatures (birds, deer, bees) about their beloved during periods of separation. Svayambhu's descriptions often involve identifying Sita's features with natural elements like lotuses and Ashok trees, a sentiment echoed in Tulsidas's "Ramcharit Manas."
  • Opening: Svayambhu begins his work by venerating the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, while Tulsidas starts with the invocation of Shiva and Parvati.
• Structure: "Paumacariu" is divided into five kāṇḍas (sections) with 90 sandhis (chapters) and 1269 kadabakas (stanzas). "Ramcharit Manas" is structured in seven sopānas (steps).
• Language and Style: Svayambhu's use of tadbhava (derived) words makes his work accessible even today. While Svayambhu often incorporated his own experiences and observations, Tulsidas's style is more focused on inner beauty and spiritual essence.

Thematic and Philosophical Differences:

• Religious Underpinnings: "Paumacariu" is deeply rooted in Jain philosophy and practices, while "Ramcharit Manas" is an expression of Vaishnavism.
• Ahimsa and Warfare: As followers of Jainism, Svayambhu doesn't describe hunting but enthusiastically depicts battles, often with detailed object descriptions and lists.
• Religious Tolerance: Svayambhu maintained a liberal and tolerant view, not condemning Brahmanical traditions. He respectfully mentioned Hindu deities and even Lord Buddha.
• Female Characters: Svayambhu's female characters are all devout Jain followers. While he introduced many new female characters, his portrayal of maternal love and emotional depth, particularly in characters like Kausalya, is less pronounced than in Tulsidas's work. Tulsidas's depiction of Kausalya and Kaikeyi is considered more vibrant and psychologically nuanced. Svayambhu's portrayal of women is described as more conventional and formal compared to Tulsidas's artistic and psychological depth.
• Seductiveness of Women: Due to Jainism's emphasis on renunciation, Svayambhu frequently highlights the impermanence of female beauty and the potential pitfalls of sensual desire. Tulsidas, while upholding moral standards, does not exhibit the same explicit emphasis on the "evil" of sensual pleasure, though he advocates for restraint.
• Social Norms: Svayambhu's "Paumacariu" features surprising inventions like Vibhishana attempting to kill Janak and Dasharath, and Bhamandal becoming infatuated with his sister Sita. Ravana is also depicted taking Sita on a joyride in an aerial vehicle. These are not present in Tulsidas's work.
• Epic Scope: Tulsidas made the Ramayana resonate in every household, drawing inspiration from its eternal ideals. Svayambhu, though a royal poet, lived within the patronage of the court, while Tulsidas remained content in his own sphere, unconcerned with royal favor.

Acknowledgement of Predecessors:

• Tulsidas, while venerating Valmiki and Vyasa, did not explicitly name Svayambhu. However, scholars interpret his mention of "Prakrit poets" as an indirect acknowledgement of Jain poets like Vimlasuri, Svayambhu, and Pushpadanta who wrote Ramayanas in Prakrit and Apabhramsha.
• The article notes that Tulsidas's closing colophon for "Ramcharit Manas" might be interpreted as a subtle reference to Svayambhu's earlier, perhaps more complex, Ramayana, which Tulsidas then rendered in vernacular language. This suggests Tulsidas acknowledged his debt to earlier traditions without explicitly naming them due to potential religious differences.
• The text highlights a tradition of acknowledging literary predecessors, something that largely ceased in Hindi literature except for Tulsidas. Modern poets like Maithilisharan Gupt are cited as exceptions who have paid homage to earlier poets.

Metaphorical Connections:

• Both poets employ poetic metaphors. Svayambhu describes his work as a river adorned with linguistic elements and verses, while Tulsidas likens his "Ramcharit Manas" to a lake filled with the waters of devotion and poetic beauty.
• The article also draws parallels between the initiation of the Ramayana narrative in both works, where a question or doubt prompts the telling of the story. In "Paumacariu," it's Shrenik's doubt, and in "Ramcharit Manas," it's Parvati's and Bharadwaj's inquiries.

Conclusion:

The article concludes that both "Paumacariu" and "Ramcharit Manas" are unique and significant contributions to Indian literature, revolutionizing the Ramayana tradition. Svayambhu's work is seen as a precursor that influenced Tulsidas, particularly in structural aspects and certain narrative elements. Svayambhu's greatest contribution is considered to be his portrayal of Sita's character. While Svayambhu paved the way for the romantic aspects of Ramayana, Tulsidas successfully popularized the story and its ideals across all sections of society. The article emphasizes that despite the centuries separating them and their differing religious backgrounds, a notable literary lineage connects these two monumental epics.