Jain Journal 1971 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 91

The Renunciation of King Nami
Namipabajja, Uttarajjhayana Suya
[The Uttarajjhayana Suya (Uttaradhyayana Sutra) is one of the Mula Sutras. Silanka and Malayagiri include it under isibhāsiya (utterances of the Sages). Siddhasena also holds the same view. It is no doubt one of the earliest sacred writings of the Jainas and one of the most valuable one. Its intention, as rightly pointed out by Jacobi, is to instruct a young monk in his principal duties, to commend to him the ascetic life by precepts and examples and to warn him against the dangers in his religious life. Namipabajja, reproduced below, is a beautiful ballad of king Nami, the ascetic ideal here is contrasted with that of the warrior and ruler. The text has been edited with an introduction, critical notes, and a commentary by Jarl Charpentier, Upsala, 1922. Jacobi has translated it into English in the SBS vol. xlv.]
After having enjoyed, in the company of the beautiful ladies of his seraglio, excellent pleasures which match those of the heavens, king Nami became enlightened and gave up his pleasures.
Having given up the town and country of Mithila, his army, seraglio, and all his retinue, the venerable man retired from the world and resorted to a lonely place.
When the royal Seer Nami retired from the world, at the occasion of his pravrajya there was an uproar in Mithila.