Jain Ramayana Narratives: Moral Vision and Literary Innovation

Jain Rāmāyaṇa Narratives: Moral Vision and Literary Innovation explores how Jain authors rewrote the story of Rāma and positioned these texts within South Asian religious history and literature. It argues that the plot, characters, and history of Jain Rāma composition served as a continual source of inspiration for authors to create and express novel visions of moral personhood. The book examines three versions of the Rāma story composed by two authors, separated by over 800 years and thousands of miles, and demonstrates the diverse visions of moral personhood held by Jains in premodernity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Tracing the evolution and significance of Jain Rāmāyaṇa narratives, Jain Rāmāyaṇa Narratives: Moral Vision and Literary Innovation delves into the intricate process by which Jain authors throughout history reinterpreted the story of Rāma and positioned these texts within the broader context of South Asian religious history and literature. The book posits that the narrative, characters, and very composition of Jain Rāma narratives served as a continuous source of inspiration for authors to forge and convey innovative perspectives on moral personhood. Through a comprehensive examination of three versions of the Rāma story authored by two distinct authors, separated by a span of over 800 years and thousands of miles, the book substantiates this argument. The first author is Raviṣeṇa, known for composing the Sanskrit Padmapurāṇa, while the second is Brahma Jinadāsa, responsible for both a Sanskrit Padmapurāṇa and a vernacular version titled Rām Rās. While these three compositions share the same fundamental narrative and aim to impart ethical lessons, they employ distinct approaches and envision different conceptions of moral excellence. A close comparative analysis of these texts highlights the diverse moral personhood ideals held by Jains during premodern times and showcases the creative narrative strategies employed by authors to bring these ideals to life. Consequently, Jain Rāmāyaṇa Narratives: Moral Vision and Literary Innovation makes a substantial contribution to the domains of Jain studies, religion, and premodern South Asian literature.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367765736