Padmacharitam Part 03

This is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Padmacharitam Part 03" by Ravishenacharya, as found in the excerpt from the Manikchand Digambar Jain Granthamala Samiti publication. The text details a significant portion of the life and events surrounding Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Ravana, and other key characters in the Jain tradition's retelling of the Ramayana story.

The provided text covers chapters from the 66th to the 123rd, outlining a complex series of events including:

Key Events and Themes:

• Ravana's Diplomacy and Subterfuge: The text begins with Ravana sending envoys to Rama, attempting to negotiate for Sita's return through threats and false promises. These envoys highlight Rama's successes against Ravana's kin and power, but also warn of the potential destruction of Ravana's lineage if he continues his conflict. Rama, however, remains steadfast in his principles, refusing to return Sita without Ravana's consent and proposing a peaceful resolution.
• The War Begins: The narrative progresses into detailed descriptions of battles, strategic maneuvers, and the prowess of various warriors on both sides. This includes descriptions of armies, weapons, and the divine powers employed.
• Individual Battles and Heroism: Specific chapters focus on key duels and encounters, such as:
  • The arrival of Ravana's envoys and their discussions with Rama and Lakshmana.
  • The preparations for war and the description of the armies.
  • The intricate descriptions of the battles between Rama, Lakshmana, and various Rakshasa warriors like Indrajit, Ravana himself, and their forces.
  • The emergence of powerful weapons and divine intervention in battles.
• Character Development and Morality: The text delves into the characters' motivations, moral dilemmas, and their adherence to dharma. It portrays Rama's unwavering commitment to righteousness, Lakshmana's fierce loyalty, Sita's purity, and the complex nature of Ravana's ambition and power.
• Divine and Supernatural Elements: The narrative is rich with supernatural occurrences, divine weapons, magical powers, and the involvement of celestial beings and Yakshas, which are common in Jain Puranic literature.
• The Significance of Jain Principles: Throughout the narrative, underlying themes of karma, dharma, non-violence (ahimsa), righteousness, and the pursuit of liberation (moksha) are evident, reflecting the core tenets of Jainism.
• Specific Episodes Covered:
  • Chapter 66 (Ravenadutagamanabhidhanam): Ravana's envoys arrive, their messages are delivered, and discussions take place.
  • Chapter 67 (Shantigriha Kirtanam): The description of the "Shanti Griha" (Temple of Peace) and its significance.
  • Chapter 68 (Phalgunashtahnikamahimavidhanam): The glory of the eight-day festival in Phalgun month.
  • Chapter 69 (Lokanlapanakaraṇābhidhānam): Rules and regulations for the populace.
  • Chapter 70 (Samyagdr̥ṣṭidēvapratīhārya Kīrtanaṁ): The miraculous attributes of the righteously enlightened beings.
  • Chapter 71 (Bahurūpavdyāsannidhānābhidhānam): The manifestation of the power of multiformity knowledge.
  • Chapter 72 (Yuddha Niścaya Kīrtanābhidhānam): The certainty of war.
  • Chapter 73 (Udyogābhidhānam): Preparations for war.
  • Chapter 74 (Rāmalakṣmaṇayuddhavarnanābhidhānam): The description of the battle between Rama and Lakshmana.
  • Chapter 75 (Chakraratnotpattivarnanam): The origin of the discus weapon.
  • Chapter 76 (Daśagrīvavadhābhidhānam): The slaying of Ravana.
  • Chapter 77 (Prītikara Upākhyānaṁ): The tale of Pritikara.
  • Chapter 78 (Indrajitādi Niṣkramaṇābhidhānam): The departure of Indrajit and others.
  • Chapter 79 (Sītāsamāgamābhidhānam): The reunion with Sita.
  • Chapter 80 (Mayopākhyānam): The story of Maya.
  • Chapter 81 (Sākētanagarīvarṇanam): Description of the city of Saketa.
  • Chapter 82 (Rāmalakṣmaṇasamāgamābhidhānam): The reunion of Rama and Lakshmana.
  • Chapter 83 (Tribhuvanālaṅkāra Kṣobhābhidhānam): The disturbance that adorns the three worlds.
  • Chapter 84 (Bharata Tribhuvanālaṅkāra Samādhya anubhāvānukīrtanam): The experience of Bharata adorned by the three worlds.
  • Chapter 85 (Bharata Kēkayā Niṣkramaṇābhidhānam): Bharata and Kekaya's departure.
  • Chapter 86 (Bharata Nirvāṇagamanaṁ): Bharata's journey to liberation.
  • Chapter 87 (Rājyābhiṣēkābhidhānam): The coronation.
  • Chapter 88 (Madhu Sundara Vadhābhidhānam): The slaying of Madhu Sundara.
  • Chapter 89 (Mathurōpasarābhidhānam): The afflictions in Mathura.
  • Chapter 90 (Śatrughna Bhavāṇukīrtanam): The past lives of Shatrughna.
  • Chapter 91 (Mathurā Purī Nivēśa Kr̥ṣidāna Guṇopasarga Hahanābhidhānam): The establishment of Mathura city, charity, and the removal of afflictions.
  • Chapter 92 (Manōramālambhābhidhānam): The speech of Manorama.
  • Chapter 93 (Lavaṇāṅkuśodbhavābhidhānam): The birth of Lava and Kusha.
  • Chapter 94 (Rāmalakṣmaṇavibhūtidarśanīyābhidhānam): The glorious sight of Rama and Lakshmana.
  • Chapter 95 (Jinēndrapūjādōhādābhidhānam): The desires fulfilled by worshipping Jinendra.
  • Chapter 96 (Janaparivādacintābhidhānam): Contemplation on societal slander.
  • Chapter 97 (Sītā Nirvana vipralāpavaṇajhāngābhidhānam): Sita's lament and abandonment in the forest.
  • Chapter 98 (Sītāsamāśvasanam): Sita's solace.
  • Chapter 99 (Rāmaśokābhidhānam): Rama's grief.
  • Chapter 100 (Lavaṇāṅkuśōdbhavābhidhānam): The birth of Lava and Kusha.
  • Chapter 101 (Lavaṇāṅkuśadijigyakīrtanam): The victory chronicles of Lava and Kusha.
  • Chapter 102 (Lavaṇāṅkuśasamētayuddhābhidhānam): The battle involving Lava and Kusha.
  • Chapter 103 (Rāmalavaṇāṅkuśasamāgamābhidhānam): The reunion of Rama, Lakshmana, Lava, and Kusha.
  • Chapter 104 (Sakala Bhūṣaṇadēvāgamanābhidhānam): The arrival of all adorned gods.
  • Chapter 105 (Rāmadharmaśravaṇābhidhānam): Listening to Rama's discourse on Dharma.
  • Chapter 106 (Samaparivāra Vāmadēvapūrvabhavābhidhānam): The past lives of Vamadeva and his retinue.
  • Chapter 107 (Pravrajitasītābhidhānam): Sita's renunciation.
  • Chapter 108 (Lavaṇāṅkuśapūrvabhāvābhidhānam): The past lives of Lava and Kusha.
  • Chapter 109 (Madhūpākhyānam): The story of Madhu.
  • Chapter 110 (Kumārāṣṭra Kaniṣkramaṇābhidhānam): The departure of the eight princes.
  • Chapter 111 (Prabhāmaṇḍala Paralōkābhigamanābhidhānam): Prabhāmaṇḍala's departure to the other world.
  • Chapter 112 (Hanūman Nivedam): Hanumān's aversion to worldly attachments.
  • Chapter 113 (Hanūman Nirvāṇābhidhānam): Hanumān's attainment of liberation.
  • Chapter 114 (Śakrasura Saṅkathābhidhānam): The dialogue of Indra and the Suras.
  • Chapter 115 (Lavaṇāṅkuśatōbhābhidhānam): The penance of Lava and Kusha.
  • Chapter 116 (Rāmadēva Vipralāpam): Rama's lament.
  • Chapter 117 (Lakṣmaṇaviyōga Vibhīṣaṇa Saṁsārasthitivarṇanam): Lakshmana's separation and Vibhishana's contemplation of the cycle of existence.
  • Chapter 118 (Lakṣmaṇasaṁskārakaraṇam Kalyāṇamitra Dēvābhigamābhidhānam): The rites for Lakshmana and the arrival of auspicious friends.
  • Chapter 119 (Baladēvaniṣkramaṇābhidhānam): The departure of Baladeva.
  • Chapter 120 (Purasankṣobhābhidhānam): The turmoil in the city.
  • Chapter 121 (Dānaprasaṅgābhidhānam): The discourse on charity.
  • Chapter 122 (Kēvalōtpattābhidhānam): The attainment of omniscience.
  • Chapter 123 (Baladēvasiddhigamanābhidhānam): Baladeva's journey to perfection.

The overall thrust of Part 3 is to detail the latter stages of the conflict with Ravana, the subsequent events, and the spiritual journeys of various characters, culminating in the pursuit of liberation. The text emphasizes the consequences of actions, the importance of adherence to dharma, and the ultimate triumph of spiritual pursuit over worldly attachments and power.