Paumappahasami Cariyam

The provided text is an excerpt from the "Paumappahasami Cariyam" (or "Padmaprabha Swami Charitra") composed by Acharya Siri Devasuri. The text was published by the L. D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad, as part of their L.D. Series 116. It was edited by Pt. Rupendrakumar Pagariya and published in July 1995.

Here's a comprehensive summary based on the provided pages:

1. Author and Context:

• The work is attributed to Acharya Siri Devasuri, a great Jain Acharya of the Jalihara Gachha (lineage).
• It was composed in Vikram Samvat 1p.54 (1254 AD) in Vadhavana, a well-known city in Gujarat, during the reign of King Bhimdev.
• The author's guru was Dharmaghoshasuri, who was the disciple of Sarvananda (composer of Parsvanath Charitra), who was the disciple of Gunabhadra, who was the disciple of Balachandra. Acharya Devasuri also studied under Devendrasuri and Haribhadrasuri.
• The book is considered a significant contribution to Jain literature and Prakrit studies, aiming to bring to light unpublished works.

2. Content and Structure:

• The primary theme is the life story of the 6th Tirthankara, Lord Padmaprabha.
• The work is a biographical Prakrit text, characterized by its scholarly yet lucid diction.
• The author has interspersed Prakrit passages with Sanskrit and Apabharamsa, enhancing the readability and appeal of the narrative.
• To make the life story more engaging, Devasuri has woven in numerous stories and sub-stories that reflect the contemporary religious and social milieu.
• The text is rich in poetic descriptions of contemporary socio-religious life, making it valuable for scholars and students of the period.
• The work is divided into five "Avasaras" (occasions or sections).
• First Avasara: Details the past lives of Lord Padmaprabha, starting from his life as King Aparajita up to his life in the celestial realm (Deva Bhav). It highlights how he developed his personality through rigorous spiritual practice (Samyama) and attained the Tirthankara nature through the binding karma.
• Second Avasara: Covers the celestial life and subsequent birth as a Tirthankara. It describes the birth celebrations, naming ceremony, marriage, royal coronation, annual donations (Varshidan), great renunciation (Mahanishkramana), and attainment of omniscience (Kevalgyan).
• Third and Fourth Avasaras: Focus on the Lord's religious discourses (Deshna), the establishment of the Sangha (Jain community), his travels across various lands, and how his profound teachings (Deshna) enlightened beings.
• Fifth Avasara: Provides a detailed account of the Lord's Nirvana (liberation).

3. Literary and Linguistic Features:

• The language is Maharashtrian Prakrit, described as simple, mature, and refined.
• The verses (Gathas) are primarily in the Arya meter, but the poet also utilizes meters like Vasantatilaka, Shardulvikridita, Sragdhara, and Anushtup occasionally.
• A significant portion describing the Lord's birth (pages 173-177) is in Apabharamsa language.
• An internal story (Antaranga Katha) told by King Aparajita to his spiritual guide, which explains the reason for his renunciation in youth, is described as a concise version of the internal story found in "Upamiti Bhavaprapancha Katha." This internal story is composed in elegant Sanskrit with abundant use of puns (Shlesh).
• The text effectively integrates religion, narrative, poetry, and philosophy.
• It emphasizes the core Jain principles of Dana (charity), Shila (virtue), Tapas (austerities), and Bhavana (meditation/reflection), illustrating each with engaging stories.
• The narrative is enriched with stories depicting the results of the twelve vows of a lay follower (Shravaka).
• The descriptions are extensive, often surpassing the plot's expansion.
• It critically analyzes superstitions, false beliefs (Mithyatva), contentious debates (Vitandavada), and human vices like anger with a logical and philosophical style.
• The narrative structure is characterized by miraculous occurrences adding to the plot's development.
• It delves into the subtle interplay of past life impressions (Janmantar-sanskar).
• The text utilizes traditional plot devices like dream visions (Swapna Darshan), horse abduction (Ashva Apaharan), and the awakening of love (Pranoyodbodh) upon hearing about past lives.
• The author employs unique phraseology (Samasaanta Padavali), new word usage, rhythmic word arrangement (Padavinyas ki Lavya), musical flow (Sangeetatmak Gati), emotional fluidity (Bhavataralta), and flowing language.
• It showcases a masterful application of various figures of speech (Alankar), sentiments (Ras), and emotions (Bhava).
• The portrayal of everyday life (Loka Jeevan) is vivid and presented in simple language.
• The author skillfully analyzes human emotions, psychological states, intentions, and motivations, as well as the various facets of deceit, cunning, and love in characters like lords, merchants, and ministers.
• The use of lokoktiyan (sayings or proverbs) adds a touch of poignant realism.
• The language is described as powerful and idiomatic, with ample use of similes (Upama) and metaphors (Rupak).

3. Key Stories Mentioned: The text includes detailed narratives to illustrate Jain principles:

• Hanspal's story (Dan Dharma): Emphasizing the importance of charity.
• Mrigankalekha's story (Shila Dharma): Illustrating the significance of virtue and chastity.
• Rohini's story (Tapas Dharma): Highlighting the impact of austerities.
• Sursundar's story (Bhavana Dharma): Demonstrating the power of reflection and contemplation.

4. Source Material and Jain Agamas:

• The editor notes that the work is based on a rarely available 15th-century manuscript.
• The preface mentions that Jain Agamas are the primary sources for Tirthankara biographies. However, information about Lord Padmaprabha in the Agamas is scarce.
• Specific Agamic texts mentioned as containing information about Lord Padmaprabha include:
  • Sthananga Sutra (4.1.1): Mentions his five Kalyanakas occurring in the Chitra constellation.
  • Samavaya Sutra (103): States his height as 250 Dhanush (a unit of measurement).
  • Samavaya Sutra (157): Contains a collection (Sangrahani Gatha) of the 24 Tirthankaras, mentioning Padmaprabha as the 6th Tirthankara, his father Dhar, mother Susima, his past life name Dharmamitra, his taking initiation outside Kushambi city in Sahasramra garden on Vijaya, his receiving alms from Somarajas's house, his first disciples Suvrata and Rati, and his omniscience under the Chhatrabrisha tree.
• Agam-itar literature (literature outside the Agamas) from the 10th to 18th century contains abundant material on Lord Padmaprabha, including works by Shilangacharya (Chatuppannamahapurischariyamm), Bhadresurisu (Kahavali), Amarchandrasuri (Chaturvinsatijinendra Sankshipta Charitani), and Hemchandracharya (Trishashtishalakapurushacharitra).
• The Digambara tradition's key texts like Tiloyapannatti and Jin senacharya's Mahapurana are also mentioned as foundational. The Uttarapurana's description of Lord Padmaprabha's life is also summarized.

5. Author's Introduction:

• The editor, Pt. Rupendrakumar Pagariya, is recognized as a well-known Prakrit scholar with extensive research and editing experience.
• He utilized two manuscripts (one palm-leaf and one paper) for the editing and compilation, also consulting two other manuscripts from the same library for corrections and improvements.

6. Publisher's Note:

• The L.D. Institute of Indology aims to publish original Sanskrit and Prakrit works after editing, revising, and translating them, and to encourage researchers in these fields.

In essence, "Siri Devasuri's Paumappahasami Cariyam" is a meticulously compiled and beautifully written biographical work in Prakrit and related languages, detailing the life and teachings of Lord Padmaprabha. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding Jain history, literature, and the socio-religious landscape of medieval India.