Difference between Hindu and Jain Ramayana
You will be surprised to know that there are more than 300 versions of Ramayana prevalent in India. Two of the most prevalent versions belong to the Hindu and the Jain ethnicity. These versions vary in the description and depiction of gods and the mythological story. In this article, we will study and identify the difference between Hindu and Jain Ramayana and understand how the cultural differences resulted in such variance.
The variance can be noted due to the existence of the different folk tales prevalent in different regions of India that configures the depiction of the mythological tales of gods in their own ways. The definition of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshmana, Goddess Sita, Ravana, etc varies from one version to the other. Let us delve deeper and find out the differences by comparing the two versions of Ramayana in two different religions.
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What is Hinduism?
Hinduism is a religion that follows the rules of Sanatana Dharma where the doctrines and ideologies of Samsara have been introduced. These ideologies and doctrines depict the relentless cycle of life, death, and rebirth or reincarnation. It also considers the universal law of cause and effect which means every action has its consequences. This religion also believes that everything has a soul or Atman and all the creatures are a part of the supreme soul of the earth.
In this aspect, the epic of Ramayana also exists surrounding this belief of Samsara and Atman. The Gods also reincarnated in different forms at different eras. Their rebirth depicts a different definition and purpose in every era leading to the belief of gods in the Hindu religion and culture. Ramayana has different versions but the outcome of all of them is almost the same.
What is Jainism?
Jainism dates back to 500 BC when it was established by Mahavira Tirthankara. The evolution and emergence of Jainism match the same period when Buddhism also emerged. This religion is almost 2500 years old and the practitioners still maintain the path shown by the Tirthankaras. You will also be surprised to know that like Buddha, Mahavira Tirthankara was also a warrior and belonged to the top segment of contemporary society. This religion teaches how to achieve spirituality, enlightenment, purity, and enlightenment through the path of nonviolence and discipline. It follows the track of Ahimsa or nonviolence and encourages all the followers to do the same. In this religion, the depiction of Ramayana is based on folklore and religious beliefs. When compared to the Hindu religion, the difference can be easily perceived.
Differences in Hindu Ramayana and Jain Ramayana
Let us discuss the difference between the two versions of Ramayana depicted as per the religious belief of these two religions.
Lord Lakshmana Killed Ravana in Jain Ramayana
According to Jain Ramayana, it was not lord Rama who killed Ravana. He was the king of Ayodhya who left everything behind and went to find salvation. He then became a monk in the Jain religion and started following the path of the Tirthankaras. It was Lord Lakshmana who killed Ravana.
In Hindu Ramayana, we all know that Lord Lakshmana was the brother of Lord Rama who accompanied him during the time Rama and his wife Sita went to live in the jungle for 12 years. Sita was forcefully taken to Lanka by Ravana when both the brothers were distracted by his magic. It was Lord Rama who killed Ravana and rescued Sita from the clutches of the demons. This is a prime point that tells us a lot about Jain Ramayana.
Wives of King Dasharatha
According to the Jain Ramayana, there were four wives of King Dasharatha. They were Sumitra, Suprabha, Aparajita, and Kaikeyi. All the queens had one son each. Queen Aparajita’s son was Padama who is also known as Rama. Sumitra’s son was Narayan who was also known as Lakshmana. Suprabha’s son was called Shatrughna and Kaikeyi’s son was called Bharat. In this version, not much is described regarding the piousness, devotion, loyalty, and allegiance of Sita.
On the other hand, Hindu Ramayana depicts a different version where King Dasharatha had three wives. They were Kaushalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi. Kaushalya’s son was Rama. Kaikeyi’s son was Bharat. Sumitra had two sons named Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
Wives of Lord Rama
As per the description of Ramayana in Jainism, Lord Rama had four queens. The names of the queens were Prabhavati, Maithili, Sridama, and Ratinibha.
According to Hindu Ramayana, Lord Rama had only one wife named Sita. Her father’s name was King Janaka.
Poumacharita in Jain Religion
Ramayana is named Paumachariya in Jainism as it is the story of Padma or Rama. As mentioned earlier, the name of Lord Rama is Padama in Jainism. This is why the epic is named Paumachariya. In fact, you will be astonished to know that there are 63 different illustrations of Lord Rama in the Jain scriptures. All these illustrations are called Salakapurusha. Three of the prominent versions are Vasudeva, Prati-Vasudeva, and Balabhadra.
In Hindu Ramayana, the name of the hero is Lord Rama. This is why the name of the epic is called Ramayana and it is written by Rishi Valmiki in Sanskrit. There are 24,000 verses in this epic that depicts the story and lifeline of Lord Rama during the Satya Era. He is depicted as the King of Raghubansh. Ramayana in the Hindu religion is also called Adi Kavya. It has seven chapters and they are called ‘Kand’.
Ravana was a Jain in Jain Ramayana
According to the mythological depiction of Ravana in Jain Ramayana, he died protecting Mother Sita in the hands of Lord Rama. It is said that he was a follower of Jainism and was good in character.
According to one version of Hindu Ramayana, Ravana was an avid worshipper of Lord Shiva and was a Brahmin. He kidnapped Sita to take revenge for what happened to his sister Surpanakha. He did not even touch her even once when she was under his captivity. He died in the hands of Lord Rama and even hailed his name during his last breath.
In another Hindu Ramayana version, Ravana was a characterless king of Lanka who had his eyes on Sita. When she was living in the forest with her husband and brother-in-law, Ravana saw and abducted her to make his wife forcefully. At this point, we can easily witness the diversity and descriptions about Hindu Ramayana.
Rama is Known as Prativasudeva in Jainism
As per the religious beliefs of Jainism, Rama is known as Prativasudeva as he was a worshipper of Shantinath. This is why he is considered a god but less powerful than Vasudeva and Narayana. This ideology is defined in Jainism as a method to differentiate people in this religion according to the level of devotion and power.
In Hindu Ramayana, there were no such divisions of people based on the definition of gods. Lord Rama was the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu in the Satya Era. He is called Maryada Purushottam as he showed the path to the common people to follow an ideology of good life following responsibilities across all domains. In this version, Lord Rama also tells us to stand against evil and fight to prove we are right.
Lakshmana Killed Ravana in Jain Ramayana
According to the Jain Ramayana, Lakshmana killed Ravana and both of them will go to Hell. They will be reborn in the form of honest persons and will achieve enlightenment in the next life. This sect also believes that Ravana will one day be reborn as Jain Tirthankara to achieve salvation in the next life.
In Hindu Ramayana, nothing as such is mentioned regarding rebirth in human form and gaining salvation. In this epic version, Lord Rama was the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu who had a purpose to fulfill in the Satya Era. Ravana was killed by Rama, not Lakshmana.
Rama, Lakshmana, and Ravana in Jainism
According to Jainism, Rama is Baldeva, Lakshmana is Vasudeva, and Ravana was a Prativasudeva. No such division is found in Hindu Ramayana.
This is the gist of the differences we come to know about Hindu Ramayana and Jain Ramayana. It mesmerizes us how an epic like Ramayana has such versions in different religions and how the social practices reflect from them.
FAQs on Prime Differences Between Jain and Hindu Ramayana
1. What do you understand about Jain Ramayana?
According to Jain Ramayana, the epic is an image of contemporary society where males were divided according to their power. The birth of Rama, Lakshmana, and Ravana had no such purpose to teach any ideology to the people. In fact, the depiction of Sita is also absent in Jainism.
2. What is the difference between Hindu and Jain Ramayana?
The difference between Jain and Hindu Ramayana is that Lakshmana killed Ravana and Lord Rama left everything to find salvation and enlightenment. There is no mention of Sita in the Jain Ramayana. In fact, Rama is known as the Padma, and Ramayana is called Paumachariya or the life of Padma.
