The Story of Carudatta

Summary

Hampa Nagarajaiah recounts the evolution of the legend of Cāruḍatta, a wealthy merchant of Ujjayinī whose fortunes decline but whose virtue endures. In the early Sanskrit play *Mṛcchakaṭikā*, Cāruḍatta is portrayed as generous and noble despite poverty; he wins the love of the courtesan Vasantasenā and is wrongfully accused of murder before being vindicated. Nagarajaiah shows that Jain writers adopted and adapted this story to convey ethical ideals. Jain versions emphasise non‑violence, renunciation and the karmic consequences of actions. In some accounts, Cāruḍatta and Vasantasenā renounce worldly life and attain spiritual liberation. Others integrate Jain cosmology by introducing Tirthaṅkaras and exemplary lay devotees. The article surveys numerous retellings across languages, including Sanskrit works like Śrī Harṣa’s *Nāgānanda* and Rājaśekhara’s *Karpūramañjarī*, Prakrit narratives, Kannada poems and Persian translations. Appendices catalogue over forty texts and inscriptions that recount the story, reflecting its popularity in Jain and non‑Jain traditions. Nagarajaiah analyses the structural motifs that persist across versions: the theme of a virtuous man tested by misfortune; the contrast between genuine love and transactional relationships; the critique of greedy rulers and corrupt officials; and the eventual triumph of dharma. Jain redactions often heighten Cāruḍatta’s compassion, depicting him feeding mendicants even when destitute. Some versions introduce miraculous interventions by Jain deities or the power of *srāddha* (faith), underscoring Jain cosmological elements. The paper also discusses the socio‑historical context of these narratives, noting that merchants were important patrons of Jainism and that the story may have served to inspire lay followers to cultivate generosity and detachment. By tracing linguistic shifts and thematic adaptations, Nagarajaiah demonstrates how the Cāruḍatta legend functioned as a cultural bridge, transmitting ethical and spiritual values across regions and traditions.