Acharya Vimalsuri Maharaj Saheb | |
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| Religious life | |
| Religion | Jainism |
| Sect | Śvetāmbara |
| Initiation | by Acharya Vijayasuri |
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Vimalsuri was aJain monk of theŚvetāmbara Murtipujaka sect. He is best known for his composition"Paumachariyam", the earliest knownJain version of theRamayana and the oldest work of literature written inMaharashtri Prakrit.[1][2] Although scholars' opinion and traditional beliefs differ on his timeline, the common belief is that he lived between the 1st and the 3rd century AD.[3][4]
Very little is known about him, given his timeline. However, his work"Paumachariyam" describes a shortPattavali mentioning him. It mentions Acharya Vijayasuri as his preceptor and initiator, while Acharya Rahu as his preceptor's (Acharya Vijayasuri) preceptor.[5]
According to theParishishtaparvan, composed byHemachandra, and the original text of"Paumachariyam", it is clear that Vimalsuri belonged to theNailakulavamś.Dr. Hermann Jacobi finds that until 12th century AD, it was known asNailakulavamś orNāgila-kula orNagendrakula. Later, it continued under the name Nagendragaccha (one of the 84Gacchas of theŚvetāmbara Murtipujakas) and it altogether disappeared by the 15th century AD.[6] Therefore, without much deliberation,Dr. Hermann Jacobi finds that Vimalsuri belonged to theŚvetāmbara sect.[7] Going by his descriptions of worshippingTirthankara idols in"Paumachariyam", mentions of theNailakulavamś orNagendragaccha (which traces its identity to theŚvetāmbara sect), and the use ofMaharashtri Prakrit (a language known for non-canonical works ofŚvetāmbaras only) for the composition of"Paumachariyam", he is considered to have been belonging to theŚvetāmbara Murtipujaka sect.[6][8]
The appendix at the end of"Paumachariyam" describe Vimalsuri as a"Purvadhari" (the one who knows the"purvas"). This is corroborated by theŚvetāmbara belief that"Purvadhaaris" flourished for at least a millennium afterMahavira attainednirvana.[5]
On analyzing the text, it is discovered that Vimalsuri possessed a sound knowledge of theJain literature,Jain cosmology,Jain ethics, and the science of interpreting and analyzing dreams, signs, and omens. According toDr. Hermann Jacobi, Vimalsuri would have been a sound writer and not a "slavish imitator" when comparingValmiki'sRamayana and"Paumachariyam". Some passages from"Paumachariyam" also remind one of theJain Aagams that are followed by theŚvetāmbara Murtipujakas.[9]
Vimalsuri, in"Paumachariyam", identifies himself as a poet by calling his work "Purāņa". It has also been identified as a "Mahākāvya" (epic poem) as it is full of figures of speech such as "Ropaka," "Utprekşā," "Upamā," "Arthăntaranyāsa," etc.
It is considered to be the oldest work of literature inMaharashtri Prakrit.[2][10]
According to Vimalsuri, this story was told to him by his preceptor, Acharya Vijayasuri. He further mentions that this story has been handed down to disciples in the form of a "list of names" through a succession ofJain monks, starting withMahavira telling it toGautama Swami, who, in turn, told it to his disciples and so on.[11]
He also mentions that he composed it 530 years after theMahavira attainednirvana. Therefore, according to traditional accounts, sinceMahavira'snirvana happened in 526 BC, this work would have to have been written in 4 AD. However, since scholars believe thatMahavira'snirvana occurred in 467 BC, it is highly likely that it was composed in 67 AD.[12][13][14]
"Paumachariyam" also has the main elements of every version of theRamayana, such as theIkshavaku clan ruleDashratha ruling overAyodhya,Rama have 3 brothers,Sita being the daughter ofJanaka,Ravana abductingSita owing to her marvelous beauty, and finally, the story ofSugriva, the aggrieved Vaanara prince ofKishkindha.Jain Mythology is mainly about the 63 illustrious men (shalakapurushas). In every half cycle of time, 63 such illustrious men are born. Of them, there are 9Baldevas, 9Vasudevas, and 9Prativasudevas. According to"Paumachariyam",Rama was the 8thBaldeva,Lakshmana was the 8thVasudeva, andRavana was the 8thPrativasudeva. In a general sense,Vasudevas defeatPrativasudevas with the help ofBaldevas. AsVasudevas are the ones who fight thePrativasudevas,Lakshmana is the one who killsRavana in "Paumachariyam". This is one of the most distinctive elements that differentiate Vimalsuri's work fromValmiki's work. Another one of the features that distinguish the two is that in "Paumachariyam",Rama becomes aSiddha by becoming aJain monk, destroying all his karma, attaining omniscience, and subsequently attaining nirvana.Sita dies and is reborn as a demi-god in heaven.Lakshmana andRavana die and go to hell due to the violence they wreak and the associated karma.Ravana will become aTirthankara in the next (ascending) half cycle of time -Utsarpini.[15]
Apart from these, he incorporates several principles ofJainism such as non-violence, chastity, ill consequences of eating flesh, painful description of life in hell within his work. He also adds extremely beautiful and poetic descriptions of oceans, cities, towns, lakes, rivers, and forests. He does not hesitate from adding narrations of several legends and romantic accounts, which, inDr. Hermann Jacobi's words, are extremely beautiful.[16][17]
Scholars unanimously agree that"Paumachariyam" was written in a time not later than the 3rd century AD, making it the first everJain version of the Ramayana. According to the well-known German Indologist,Dr. Hermann Jacobi, Vimalsuri's"Paumachariyam" is the firstJain version of Ramayana. He extends his argument by mentioning his findings after studying most versions of theJain versions of the Ramayana, that all the later authors, namelyRavisena, Gunabhadra,Hemachandrasuri, Dhaneshvarsuri, Svayambhu, Silachārya, Bhadreśvara,Haribhadrasuri, Devavijaygani, Meghavijaygani,[18] either completely or partially derive inspiration from Vimalsuri's"Paumachariyam".[19][20]
"Paumachariyam", andRavisena's"Padmacharitra" are largely considered to be the two major versions ofJain Ramayana. After studying both the works, most scholars likeDr. Hermann Jacobi concludes that even thoughRavisena does not declare his source explicitly, his work heavily relies upon Vimalsuri's"Paumachariyam".[19][21][22]
Another major work authored by Vimalsuri was"Harivamsa-cariya", which was, according toDr. Hermann Jacobi, most likely, a work on the Jain version of theMahabharata. However, the original text of"Harivamsa-cariya" was lost in course of time. The language of both the texts,"Harivamsa-cariya", and"Paumachariyam" isMaharashtri Prakrit.[23]
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