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In सचित्र उत्तराध्ययन सूत्र
Tohfast 378
[262]
EKAVIMSH ADHYAYAN : SAMUDRAPAALIYA
Foreview
The title of this chapter is Samudrapaaliya. The reason for giving this name is that it contains the life sketch of Samudrapaal from birth to nirvana and some important events in his life.
Paalit was a householder disciple of Bhagavan Mahavir. He lived in Champapur city in Anga state and was well versed in Jain doctrine.
Paalit was a sea-faring merchant. He carried merchandise from his country to other countries (beyond the sea) in ships and on return brought back merchandise from other countries. Thus his import-export business was flourishing.
Once he reached Pihund (a sea port). He had to extend his stay due to business activities. Impressed by his honesty, business acumen, good behaviour and other qualities, a local merchant married his daughter to Paalit.
While Paalit was returning to Champa city by sea-route his newly wedded wife gave birth to a beautiful son on the ship itself. As the son was born during a sea (samudra) voyage, he was named Samudrapaal.
In due course Samudrapaal became young and acquired knowledge of all 72 arts. His father married him to a beautiful young girl named Rupini. Samudrapaal started enjoying his married life like Dogundak gods in his mansion.
Once he was sitting in the balcony of his house and enjoying the beauty of the city. Suddenly he saw a person under escort moving on the road.
He was a man to be killed. The king had sentenced him to death. According to the prevailing tradition the man was clad in red dress, with a garland of red Kaner (oleander) flowers around his neck and body besmeared with red sandalwood paste. The escorting guards were making announcement of his crime while leading him to the place of punishment.
Samudrapaal at once understood that the person was a hardened criminal and was being punished for his crime. He was suffering the consequences of his evil deeds.
Samudrapaal's train of thoughts on the process of crime and punishment as well as actions and their fruits went deeper and deeper. He became anxious to shear the bondage of karmas. He understood that indulgence in mundane pleasures will further strengthen the bondage of karmas. Feelings of craving for liberation and detachment started surfacing in his mind. He decided to practice ascetic religion and after taking permission from his parents he got initiated. He observed faultless ascetic conduct and attained liberation.
This chapter is important from religious angle due to its elaborate description of ascetic-conduct but at the same time it is also important from social angle due to vivid narration of the prevailing social norms and traditions.
The chapter has 24 verses.
