『ラーマナ王物語』研究 : 解題および前半部の訳註

This article contains an annotated Japanese translation of the first half of the Rā ma ṇa’i gtam rgyud (The Tale of Rāmaṇa), an ornate epic on the story of the Tibetan Rāmāyaṇa, written by the Dge lugs pa scholar-monk Zhang zhung chos dbang grags pa (1404–69). The story of Rāmaṇa (Rāma) and Sītā is well known in Tibetan literary tradition. It first appeared in the Dunhuan documents that were written in circa 800 CE; and since then it has been told in many Tibetan literary works up to the present time. One important work among them is the summary of the story found in Dmar ston chos rgyal’s commentary on the Sa skya legs bshad, written in the thirteenth century. The framework of Chos dbang grags pa’s story is based primarily on Dmar ston chos rgyal’s summary. The Rā ma ṇa’i gtam rgyud is rich in its usage of poetic ornaments (rgyan, alaṁkāra) and poetic vocabulary derived from Sanskrit synonymics (mngon brjod, abhidhāna), both of which are essential elements in the vivid depiction of each character’s mental states. What is also of interest is its compositional style that is reminiscent of the Gauḍī from eastern India. For instance, Chos dbang grags pa prefers highly exaggerated expressions, which are characteristic of the Gauḍī style. Many of his verses are incomprehensible without the knowledge of the Sanskrit literary arts. This however does not mean that the Rā ma ṇa’i gtam rgyud is merely an imitation of Sanskrit literature. Chos dbang grags pa’s creativity does occur in his profound expression of human sentiments as well as in his view of worldly affairs presented from the Buddhist perspective.