Padma Puran - Book Summary | JainGPT

This is a comprehensive summary of the Padma Purana text based on the provided pages, covering the key events, characters, and philosophical aspects discussed.

Padma Purana (Padma Purana by Ravishenacharya)

The text is a Gujarati translation of the Padma Purana, also known as Sri Ramcharit, composed by Acharya Ravishenacharya. It is published by Shri Digambar Jain Swadhyay Mandir Trust. This summary is based on the initial chapters provided, focusing on the narrative and philosophical context.

Introduction and Context:

Popularity of Rama: The text highlights the immense popularity of Lord Rama's name in India, comparing it to that of Tirthankaras. Rama's name is the most frequently uttered among great figures in India.
Source of Popularity: Rama's widespread fame stems from the numerous significant events in his life that have etched his virtuous character into the hearts of Indians, making him an exceptionally popular figure.
Valmiki Ramayana: The text acknowledges the Valmiki Ramayana as an ancient and influential text depicting Rama's life, possibly composed during his lifetime and taught to Lava and Kush.
Jain Perspective: The Padma Purana, from a Jain perspective, aims to correct misconceptions about Rama and Ravana found in other texts. It quotes King Shrenika asking Lord Mahavir about the Rakshasa nature of Ravana and his followers, implying that popular accounts (like Valmiki Ramayana) portrayed them as flesh-eating and blood-drinking demons. The text further quotes the Padma Purana itself expressing sorrow that foolish poets have distorted the character of the Vidyadhar Kumaras. It emphasizes that hearing the Ramayana leads to the immediate destruction of all sins.
Influence of "Parin" text: The creation of the Padma Purana is based on the "Parin" text, which was composed about 50 years after Lord Mahavir's nirvana. This suggests the Ramayana was highly popular during Mahavir's time, and people believed listening to it washed away sins. The Padma Purana and "Parin" (possibly referring to Pushtaka or Meru?) were created to clarify the character of Rama and Ravana.

Composition and Authorship:

Author: Acharya Ravishana is credited as the composer of the Sanskrit Padma Purana.
Guru Parampara: Ravishana's guru lineage is traced back through learned Acharyas: Indraguru, Divakar Yati, Anumuni, Lakshmanasen, and finally Ravishana, who composed the pure character of Padma Muni.
Agamic Knowledge: Ravishana's predecessors were known to be knowledgeable in all Agamas, implying Ravishana also possessed this profound knowledge.
Vast Knowledge: The text suggests Ravishana possessed extensive knowledge of Prathamanuyog (narrative section) in Jain literature, evidenced by the numerous sub-stories within the Padma Purana. His knowledge also extended to Charan, Karan, and Dravyanuyog (conduct, cosmology, and substance-related sections of Jain scripture), as seen in his descriptions of heavens, hells, continents, oceans, Aryans, Anaryans, their customs, night-eating, and the fruits of merit and sin.
Emotional Depth: Ravishana's narrative style is praised for its beautiful portrayal of Shanta (peaceful) and Karuna (compassion) रस (rasa - emotional essence). Sita's poignant descriptions after her abduction, her suffering in the Ashoka garden and exile, and her ordeal by fire are highlighted as extraordinary. The author expresses that describing Lakshman's state after his elder brother's passing, his pure fraternal love, is impossible to capture in words.
Inclusion of All Rasas: The Padma Purana is said to contain all the rasas (emotional essences) in their appropriate places, with Karuna and Shanta being the most prominent.
Original Text: The original Sanskrit text comprises approximately 18,000 verses and has been published in three volumes by Shri Manikchandra Digambar Jain Granthamala, Mumbai. The readers are encouraged to study the original text.

Rama and Sita's Personalities and Roles:

Sita's Pervasiveness: Although the title mentions Rama's story, Sita is described as being pervasive throughout the entire narrative due to her role as his life companion.
Rama's Journey: Rama's journey begins as a heroic child when he helps Sita's father. His prowess gains recognition through Sita's Swayamvara. His victory over Ravana makes him world-famous. His subsequent abandonment of Sita due to public slander brought him immense prominence, leading to the remembrance of "Rama Rajya" even after thousands of years.
Rama's Dilemma: The text vividly portrays Rama's inner turmoil when confronted with public slander regarding Sita. His internal conflict is depicted through his thoughts: how can he abandon Sita, whom he cannot bear to be separated from even for a moment? She resides in his eyes and heart, is the abode of virtues, and is utterly faultless. He is caught between public opinion and the unbearable pain of separation from his beloved and innocent Sita. The text describes Rama's state of confusion and indecisiveness.
Sita's Idealism: Sita's character is presented as an ideal for women, not just in India but across the world. Her unwavering support during Rama's hardships, her protection of her chastity amidst evil, and her unwavering devotion to Rama even after his abandonment are highlighted as profound ideals.
Sita's Message to Rama: After being exiled by Rama, Sita, despite her suffering, sends a message to Rama through the commander: "O Commander! Tell Rama this from me: May he not grieve over my abandonment. May he, as a protector of the people, always act with justice, like a father, and protect his subjects well." This message reveals Sita's immense compassion and concern for Rama and his people, even in her dire situation.
Sita's Counsel: Sita's message also contains profound spiritual advice: "O Purushottam Rama! Worship the Samyagdarshan (Right Faith) with all your being. For it is superior to even imperial power. Empires perish, but Samyagdarshan provides eternal bliss. Therefore, O Purushottam Rama! Do not abandon Samyagdarshan, even if condemned by an unrighteous person, just as you abandoned me due to public slander." This highlights Sita's spiritual depth and her understanding of eternal truths.

Narrative Content:

The text includes a detailed index of 123 chapters (Parvas), covering the entire narrative of the Padma Purana. Key events and characters mentioned in the index include:

Mangalacharan and Pithabandha: Auspicious beginnings and foundational rituals.
Lord Mahavir's Samavasarana and King Shrenika's Query: The divine assembly of Lord Mahavir and King Shrenika's question about Rama's story.
Vidyadhar World: Descriptions of the celestial beings known as Vidyadharas.
Incarnations and Spiritual Figures: Accounts of Lord Rishabhanatha, the fourteen Kulakaras, twenty-four Tirthankaras, twelve Chakravartis, nine Narayanas, nine Pratinarayanas, nine Balabhadras, and their respective parents and cities.
Rama's Life Story: Detailed narration of Rama's life, including:
- Birth of Rama and his brothers.
- Marriage to Sita.
- Exile and Rama's lament.
- Hanuman's Lanka visit.
- War with Ravana.
- Sitaharan (Sita's abduction).
- Sitaparityag (Sita's abandonment).
- Agni Pariksha (Trial by fire for Sita).
- Rama's mental state and moral dilemmas.
Character Studies: Detailed descriptions of Rama's mental state during difficult times and Sita's ideal character.
Philosophical Discourse: The text likely delves into Jain philosophical concepts like karma, dharma, spiritual liberation, and the nature of reality, as suggested by the mention of Samyagdarshan and the emphasis on virtues.

Overall Purpose:

The Padma Purana, as presented here, is a significant Jain text that aims to narrate the life of Lord Rama from a Jain perspective, emphasizing his virtues, character, and adherence to dharma, while also correcting potential inaccuracies found in other traditions. It highlights the importance of dharma, compassion, and adherence to principles, even in the face of immense personal suffering, as exemplified by Sita's ideals. The text appears to be a rich narrative with profound philosophical undertones.