Critical Study Of Paumacariyam

SR No.: 022643
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: K R Chandra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa
Publication Year: 1970
Total Pages: 672
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English & Book_Devnagari
File Size: 18 MB

Page 183

A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
The VR (I. 70) merely refers to Naghuşa as the son of Ambarīșa. The MB (5. 11-18) states that Naghusa was once made Devarāja (Indra) by the Rşis. He wanted to enjoy with Śaci, the wife of Indra. He rejected the mantras (hymns.) of Brahma and insulted Rṣis, hence he lost his status and was transformed into a serpent. When he came into contact with Yudhisthira he regained his original form (MB, 3. 179-181).
154
15. Sodāsa:
Sodasa, during a religious festivity of eight days, desired to take meat. On that occasion the meat was prohibited hence his cook brought him some human-flesh. Sodasa got addicted to it and for its supply children were killed. His subjects revolted against him and banished him and his cook. They enthroned his son Simharatha. Sodasa was known as Simhasodasa because his food was like that of a lion. Sodasa proceeding towards the south met a monk and accepted vows of a layman. Fortunately he became the king of Mahapura whose ruler had died heirless. Sodasa attacked his son who had refused to pay homage to him. He defeated his son but soon restored the kingdom to him and thereafter renounced the world (22. 71-95),
The Bhattaparinna mentions, that Sodasa suffered being a slave
of taste.
The PCR (22. 132-152) and the RPS (p. 83) agree with the PCV. But the latter work mentions a city-Kotval in place of the cook. The TSP (IV. p. 187) agrees with the PCV.
According to the Vasudevahindi (I. p. 197), Sodasa was the prince of Kañcanapura. He started to take the flesh of peacocks when the meat was prohibited in the city by his father. Once his cook served him with the flesh of a dead boy. He found it very tasteful. The human flesh was kept supplied to him by killing children. When the public agitated against this practice, his father banished him. He wandered like a Rākṣasa and reached the Tilavastuka settlement. There he was killed by Vasudeva who had also reached there on his wandering tour. Sodasa is called as Puruṣādaka (Purisão) also.
The VR (2.110.29) refers to Saudāsa as the son of Raghu. He bore four names-Pravṛddha, Puruṣādaka, Kalmāṣapāda and Saudāsa. The Tilaka commentary (1.70 39) refers to the curse given by Vasistha and the burning of the legs of Saudása. The Visnupurana (4.4.39f) calls him the son of Sudāsa and the grandson of Sarvakāma. He once killed a vyāghra' in the forest. That 'vyaghra' became a Rākṣasa. Saudāsa performed a sacrifice which was being presided over by Vasistha.