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Ramayan in jains
In Jainism there is a distinct Jain Ramayana, told in Jain texts and often called the Jain Ramayana. Key points:
- Rama is known as Padma (Padmaja) and is counted among the 63 Salakapurushas (great beings) in Jain universal history.
- The story appears in major Jain works such as Paumachariyam (by Vimalsuri) and Padmapurana; later Jain authors also retell the Ramayana in their own style.
- Important difference from the Hindu epic: Rama is a noble, virtuous soul who attains moksha (liberation) after renouncing worldly life and becoming a Jain muni. Lakshmana is often the one who defeats Ravana in the Jain version, reflecting Jain ahimsa principles.
- Sita, in Jain accounts, is often depicted as a liberated soul who is associated with spiritual attainment rather than a divine heroine; Rama and Sita's arcs emphasize renunciation, self-discipline, and the path to liberation.
- The Ramayana in Jain tradition is not about avatars of Vishnu; Rama and Ravana are treated as exemplary figures (Baladevas, Vasudevas, etc.) within Jain cosmology.
This Jain portrayal is preserved across several works, with some variation between Digambar and Śvetāmbar traditions in emphasis or detail, but the core idea remains: Rama as Padma, a virtuous prince who attains moksha, Lakshmana as his ally who upholds dharma in the narrative, and Ravana as part of the story of moral lesson rather than divine intervention.
