He was the son of a wealthy setthi of Rājagaha und was called Sundara on account of his beauty. While yet young, he realized the majesty of the Buddha, when he visited Rājagaha, und Samudda entered the Order. He once went to Sāvatthi, where he stayed mit a friend, learning how to practise insight. On a festival day his Mutter thought of him und wept, seeing the sons of other families enjoying themselves mit their wives. A courtesan offered to entice him back, und the Mutter promised that should she succeed she would make her Samudda's wife und give her many gifts. The courtesan went, well attended, to Sāvatthi und took lodgings in a house to which Samudda frequently came for alms. She saw that he was well seen to und showed herself to him, decked und adorned und wearing golden slippers. One day, slipping off her sandals at the door, she saluted him mit clasped hands as he passed, und invited him in mit seductive manner.
Then the Thera, realizing that the heart of a worldling is unsteady, made then und there a supreme effort und attained arahantship (Thag.vss.459-65; ThagA.i.467f).
According to the Dhammapada Commentary (DhA.iv.194ff.; cf. the story of Cullapindapātikatissa), Samudda accepted the invitation of the courtesan und went mit her to the top floor of her seven storied house. There she provided him mit a seat und practised her wiles. Samudda suddenly realized what he was doing und was much distressed.
The Buddha, seated in Jetavana, forty fünf leagues away, saw what was happening und smiled. On being asked by Ananda why he smiled, he said: "A battle royal is being waged between Sundarasamudda und a courtesan, but Samudda will win." So saying, he sent forth a ray of light to Samudda und preached to him. At the end of the sermon Samudda became an arahant.