From the Sacred Jainism Scripture “Uttaradhyayana,” Lecture 20 and 21 – Renunciation, Part 1 of 2

Today, it is an honor to present selections from the “Twenty-First Lecture: Samudrapâla,” in the sacred Jain scripture Uttaradhyayana, from the book “Sacred Books of the East Volume 45: Jaina Sutras, Part 2,” translated by Hermann Jacobi. This lecture describes the spiritual journey of Samudrapâla, who, after realizing life’s ephemerality, abandons worldly pleasures to become a renunciate.

Samudrapâla

“[…] Once upon a time he saw from the window of his palace a man sentenced to death, dressed for execution, on his way to the place of execution. Agitated by what he saw, Samudrapâla spoke thus: ‘Of wicked actions this is the bad result.’ He became enlightened at once, the venerable man, and he was immensely agitated; he took leave of his parents, and entered the state of houselessness. Abandoning the great distress to which the worldly are liable, the great delusion, and whatever causes fear, one should adopt the Law of monks, the vows, the virtues, and the (endurance of) calamities. One should keep the five great vows, namely not to kill, to speak the truth, not to steal, to be chaste, to have no property whatever; a wise man should follow the Law taught by the Ginas.

A monk should have compassion on all beings, should be of a forbearing character, should be restrained and chaste, and abstaining from everything sinful; he should live with his senses under control. Now and then he should travel in one country, taking into consideration its resources and his own ability; like a lion he should not be frightened by any noise; and whatever words he hears, he should not make an improper reply. In utter indifference he should walk about, and bear everything, be it pleasant or unpleasant; he should not approve of everything everywhere, nor care for respectful treatment or blame. […]

A great sage should be neither too elevated by pride nor too humble, he should not care for respectful treatment nor blame; an ascetic who has ceased (to act), will by means of his simplicity enter the path of Nirvâna. He is neither grieved nor pleased (by anything), he abandons his relations with men, he ceases (to act), is intent on the benefit of his soul, he strives for the highest good (namely mukti), and uses the means to reach it, free from sorrow, egoism, and any kind of property. […]”