Paumchariu Part 5 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of Paumchariu Part 5, based on the provided text:

Book Title: Paumchariu Part 5 Author(s): Swayambhudev, H C Bhayani Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Overall Context: Paumchariu (also known as Padma Charitra or the life story of Rama) is a significant Jain epic composed in the Apabhramsha language by Kavi Swayambhudev. This particular volume, Part 5, is the concluding part of the epic. The work was initiated by Swayambhu and completed by his son, Tribhuvan. This edition includes a Hindi translation.

Editorial Introduction and Background: The Bharatiya Gyanpith took on the publication of Swayambhu's Paumchariu with a Hindi translation by Dr. Devendrakumar Jain. Previous parts were published in 1957, 1958, and the fourth part was published in 1969-70. Part 5, covering the "Yuddhakanda" (chapters 75-77) and "Uttarakanda" (chapters 78-90), is being published now.

Dr. H.C. Bhayani is credited with the scholarly critical edition of the original Paumchariu, utilizing three manuscripts and providing detailed textual variations and notes. His introduction in the first part covers Swayambhu's life, works, sources of the Paumchariu, its linguistic features (grammar, meter), and its subject matter. The introduction in the third part further delves into the meter by comparing it with Swayambhu's other work, Ritthanemichariu, and provides more details about Swayambhu's time and compositions. The editors express gratitude to Dr. Bhayani for his scholarly contribution and to the publishers for allowing the use of his original text.

Dr. Devendrakumar Jain is acknowledged for his extensive effort in translating the work into Hindi, which is expected to attract more readers to the study of Swayambhu and Tribhuvan. The editors emphasize the importance of studying Apabhramsha for understanding Hindi and other modern Indian Aryan languages and their poetic traditions.

The publication is supported by the patrons of the Bharatiya Gyanpith, Shriman Sahu Shantiprasad Jain and his wife Shrimati Rama Jain, for bringing to light neglected branches of Indian literature and cultural heritage.

Summary of Part 5 Content (based on the Index):

Part 5 of Paumchariu covers the climactic battles and the subsequent events in the life of Rama, following the Jain narrative tradition. The chapters (Sandhis) within this part are:

Sandhi 75 ( Seventy-fifth): Describes the battle, the sounds of war, destruction, Hanuman's exploits, Sugriva's advance, and the face-to-face confrontation between Rama and Ravana. It depicts the mental states of the characters regarding Sita, the use of fierce weapons, the battlefield filled with arrows, and after seven days of intense fighting, Lakshmana's entry into the battle. It details the fierce combat between Rama and Ravana, the beheading of Ravana's heads, and finally Ravana being wounded by the discus.
Sandhi 76 ( Seventy-sixth): Details the aftermath of the battle with the sounds of celestial drums and the deep despair of the night-dwellers (Rakshasas). It describes the greetings from the gods to Rama's army, the fall of the Rakshasa dynasty, Mandodari's lament, her identification of her husband on the battlefield, the description of war-induced destruction, and the tragic end of Ravana. It portrays the unconsciousness of the inner palace, Mandodari's sorrowful cries, the pitiable state of the inner palace, Indrajit and Kumbhakarna learning of Ravana's death, Kumbhakarna's fainting, and Indrajit's distress. It marks the turning point for Rama's side.
Sandhi 77 ( Seventy-seventh): Describes Vibhishana's grief over Ravana's death, the description of the wounded and dead bodies, Rama's address to Vibhishana, criticism of Ravana's actions, and praise of his great personality. It includes Vibhishana's remorse for Ravana and Ravana's funeral procession, with descriptions of the pyre. It depicts the intense grief of Ravana's family and the inner palace, the description of the suffering, the visual depiction of every limb's movement, the public reaction to Ravana's end, Rama's proposal to console Ravana's family, the opposition from elders, Vibhishana's suspicion towards Shambhakarna, Rama's explanation to them, the performance of funeral rites according to customs, the ritual bath of the warriors, purification rituals, and Mandodari's resolve to take to asceticism.
Sandhi 78 ( Seventy-eighth): Covers the reaction to Ravana's death, the advent of morning, the arrival of the great sage Aparameya in the city, and people flocking to see him. The sage's sermon on dharma and the description of the cycle of time are presented. Meghnanada and Indrajit take initiation. Rama's refusal to leave Sita is depicted, along with prevailing societal views on women. Rama and Lakshmana visit Sita. Lakshmana with his wife pays respects to Sita. The city rejoices at the entry of Rama and Lakshmana with Sita. It includes descriptions of citizen reactions and Rama's entry into Ravana's palace, his worship at the Jinanala (Jain temple), Vibhishana's coronation, Kausalya's grief over separation from her son, Narada Muni's consolation and information about her son enjoying Vibhishana's hospitality in Lanka, the departure of the great sage Bharata, informing Rama, Rama's departure for Ayodhya by Pushpaka Vimana, and a description of the main places along the journey.
Sandhi 79 ( Seventy-ninth): Describes Bharata's departure to welcome Rama upon his arrival in Ayodhya, the congestion of vehicles en route, Rama's entry into Ayodhya, the welcome by the citizens, Rama's reunion with his mothers, Bharata's detachment, and his being tempted by water sports. It concludes with Bharata's steadfastness and Rama's coronation.
Sandhi 80 ( Eightieth): Details the distribution of the kingdom to various people, Shatrughna's invasion of Mathura, the surrender of King Madhu of Mathura, and King Madhu's death by samadhi-marana (meditative death) on the great elephant.
Sandhi 81 ( Eighty-first): Covers Rama's detachment towards Sita, Sita's pregnancy, her cravings (dohada), societal gossip, Rama's contemplation, his decision to exile Sita, Lakshmana's opposition, Sita's abandonment in the wilderness, the reaction of women, Sita's self-reflection in the forest, her accusations against humanity, her helpless state, Lavanya's acceptance of Sita Devi into his refuge, and the birth of Lavanya and Ankusha.
Sandhi 82 ( Eighty-second): Describes Lavanya and Ankusha entering youth, their engagement to King Prithu's daughters, his attack on them, Sita Devi's blessings, King Prithu's defeat, Lavanya and Ankusha's marriage to the princesses, Narada Muni informing Lavanya and Ankusha about Rama and Lakshmana, their anger upon hearing this, Sita's attempt to pacify them, their opposition, sending envoys to Rama, marching, Lakshmana's anger upon hearing the envoy's words, the clash of their armies, the battle, Lakshmana's attack with the discus, the discus being rendered useless, their introduction, meeting, and the joyful conclusion of the battle.
Sandhi 83 ( Eighty-third): Covers Lavanya and Ankusha's entry into Ayodhya, the reaction of women to seeing them, their welcome by the public, Rama's thoughts on Sita, Rama's journey to Sita, Sita's arrival, Sita herself proposing the fire ordeal, the description of the fire, its universal reaction, Sita's reappearance from the lotus throne, everyone's praise for Sita Devi, Sita's initiation, Rama's fainting, everyone's visit to see the great sage in the garden, Rama asking about the nature of dharma, and the sage's sermon on dharma.
Sandhi 84 ( Eighty-fourth): When asked by Vibhishana, the sage describes Rama's previous births and Lakshmana's previous births, detailing his births from Nayadatta up to this life. The importance of renouncing night meals and the efficacy of the Namokar mantra are highlighted. At Vibhishana's request, Rama's previous births are also narrated.
Sandhi 85 ( Eighty-fifth): When asked by Vibhishana, Muni Sakalabhushana describes the previous lives of Lavanya and Ankusha. Krutantapatra takes to renunciation and initiation. Raghav proceeds homewards. His grief in Sita's absence. Rama's entry into Ayodhya, citizens' reactions, Lakshmana's praise for Sita Devi.
Sandhi 86 ( Eighty-sixth): Describes Sita's attainment of Indra's position. When asked by King Shrenika, Gautama Ganadhara describes the future births of Rama, Lakshmana, their mothers, and Sita Devi. Lavanya and Ankusha's marriage, the svayamvara, the garland falling around their necks, the description of the svayamvara, the encounter with Lakshmana's sons, intervention by the people, their welcome by the public, Lakshmana's sons' renunciation and initiation, Lakshmana's remorse, Bhamaṇḍala's wealth and daily routine, his palace front collapsing due to lightning, Bhamaṇḍala's renunciation, praise of the Jinas, his contemplation through the night, initiation in the morning, and Hanuman's initiation.
Sandhi 87 ( Eighty-seventh): Covers Rama's criticism of Hanuman, Indra's plan for Rama's renunciation, the arrival of two gods, their statement that 'Rama is dead', Lakshmana's death, mourning in the inner palace, Rama's grief over his brother's death, fainting, wandering aimlessly, Vibhishana's consolation, and Rama remaining under the influence of attachment.
Sandhi 88 ( Eighty-eighth): Describes Rama's refusal of Lakshmana's cremation, Ravana's relatives attacking Rama, Rama's counter-attack, Indrajit and Khara's sons taking initiation, gods explaining to Rama with examples, Rama's self-realization, gods' departure, entrusting the kingdom to Shatrughna, and Rama taking initiation.
Sandhi 89 ( Eighty-ninth): Describes the King of Heavens learning of Rama's renunciation through Avadhijnana (clairvoyance), his arrival, meeting Rama, Rama's circumambulation of the Kotishila, his testing Rama, Rama's steadfastness, Rama's attainment of knowledge. Swayamprabha's entry into hell, addressing the souls of Lakshmana and Ravana, condemnation of anger, and their expression of gratitude.
Sandhi 90 ( Ninetieth): Describes Dasharatha's previous lives, prediction of future events for Lavanya and Ankusha, description of Bhamaṇḍala's previous life, future predictions for Ravana, Lakshmana, and Chitrendra Deva, Lavanya and Ankusha's renunciation, initiation, and liberation. The text concludes with the "Prashasti" (colophon) by Tribhuvan Swayambhu.

Key Themes and Narrative Elements (from the detailed index): The latter part of the epic, as detailed in the index of Part 5, focuses heavily on the intense and graphic descriptions of the great war (Yuddhakanda). It portrays the ferocity of the battles, the use of divine and powerful weapons, the bravery of the warriors, and the immense destruction. Following the war, the narrative delves into the emotional aftermath: the grief of the families, the rituals, and the eventual return to Ayodhya. It then transitions into the political and personal events of Rama's reign, including the coronation of Vibhishana, the distribution of kingdoms, Shatrughna's conquest of Mathura, and importantly, the controversial exile of Sita, her subsequent life, the birth of Lavana and Ankusha, their eventual reunion with Rama, and their eventual renunciation and liberation. The epic also explores past lives of characters, the importance of dharma, and the consequences of actions. The influence of Jain philosophy is evident throughout, emphasizing detachment, renunciation, and the path to liberation.