Petvatthu

The provided text is a part of the Petavatthu, a canonical Buddhist scripture in the Pali language. The title page indicates it was edited by Rahul Sankrityayan and Anand Kausalyayan, and published by Uttam Bhikkhu in 2481 Buddha Year (1937 A.C.). It is associated with the Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar in Umara, Surat.

The preface highlights the importance of printing Pali literature in Devanagari script, noting that the script difference often makes it difficult for Sanskrit scholars to access Pali texts. This publication is presented as an effort to bridge this gap. It also mentions that the text includes variants found in other editions, particularly those of the Pali Text Society, and expresses gratitude to Bhadante Uttam Thera for his assistance.

The Table of Contents reveals a structured organization of the Petavatthu, divided into chapters (Vagga) and individual stories (Petavatthu). It lists 41 specific Petavatthu stories.

The subsequent pages present the actual text of the Petavatthu, containing verses and narratives. The content is in Pali, and it appears to be a collection of stories about petas (hungry ghosts or spirits of the departed) and their experiences in the afterlife, often illustrating the consequences of past actions (karma).

Here's a breakdown of the content based on the provided text:

• Introduction (Prāṅnivedanam): States the purpose of publishing the Pali text in Devanagari script and acknowledges the assistance received.
• Table of Contents (Viṣaya-sūcī): Lists the various chapters and individual Petavatthu stories, indicating the start page for each.
• The Petavatthu Text:
  • Kkhettūpamāpetavatthu (The Peta of the Field Analogy): The first story, likely illustrating the concept of merit transfer or the field of merit.
  • Sūkarapētavatthu (The Peta of the Pig): A story about a peta with a pig-like appearance, likely due to past actions.
  • Pūtimukhapeta-vatthu (The Peta with a Foul Mouth): A story about a peta whose mouth is foul-smelling, a consequence of past speech.
  • Piṭṭadhītalikāpetavatthu (The Peta of the Daughter-in-Law): A story about a daughter-in-law and her fate.
  • Tirokuḍḍa-peta-vatthu (The Peta Behind the Wall): This appears to be a significant section with multiple verses, describing petas who remain unseen, possibly due to their past actions. It discusses the futility of lamentation for the dead and the efficacy of offerings made to the Sangha.
  • Pañcaputtakhādakapettavatthu (The Peta Who Eats Five Sons): A grim story about a peta consuming her own children, likely due to severe past karma.
  • Sattaputtakhādakapettavatthu (The Peta Who Eats Seven Sons): Similar to the previous one, depicting a peta consuming seven sons.
  • Goṇapettavatthu (The Peta of the Ox): A story about a peta in the form of an ox.
  • Mahāpesakārapettovattu (The Peta of the Great Cart-Maker): A story about a large cart-maker and their fate.
  • Khala-tyapettovattu (The Peta of the Threshing Floor): A story related to a threshing floor.
  • Uragapettavatthu (The Peta of the Serpent): A story about a peta who was formerly a serpent.
  • Saṃsāramocakapetavatthu (The Peta Who Liberates from Samsara): A story about liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
  • Sāriputtattherassa Mātupetīvatthu (The Mother Peta of Elder Sariputta): A story about the mother of the Venerable Sariputta, who became a peta due to her actions.
  • Mattāpetīvatthu (The Peta of Matta): A story about a peta named Matta.
  • Nandāpetavatthu (The Peta of Nanda): A story about a peta named Nanda.
  • Maṭṭhakuṇḍalipettavattu (The Peta of Maṭṭhakuṇḍalī): A story about Maṭṭhakuṇḍalī.
  • Kaṇhapettavatthu (The Peta of Kanha): A story about a peta named Kanha.
  • Dhanapālapettavattu (The Peta of Dhanapala): A story about a wealthy individual named Dhanapala who became a peta.
  • Cūḷaseṭṭhipettovattu (The Peta of the Minor Merchant): A story about a minor merchant.
  • Aṅkurapettavattu (The Peta of Ankura): A story about a peta named Ankura.
  • Uttarāmātupetavatthu (The Mother Peta of Uttara): A story about Uttara's mother who became a peta.
  • Suttapettavatthu (The Peta of the Thread): A story related to a thread or sutta.
  • Kaṇṇamuṇḍapetavatthu (The Peta with Torn Ears): A story about a peta with torn ears.
  • Ubbari-peta-vatthu (The Peta of Ubbari): A story about a peta named Ubbari.
  • Abhijjhamānapetavatthu (The Peta of the Covetous): A story about a covetous peta.
  • Sānuvāsipetavatthu (The Peta of Sānuvasī): A story about a peta named Sānuvasī.
  • Rathakāripettavatthu (The Peta of the Chariot-Maker): A story about a chariot-maker.
  • Gūthakhādakapettavatthu (The Peta Who Eats Feces): A gruesome story about a peta consuming feces, a consequence of past actions.
  • Gaṇapetavatthu (The Peta of the Flock): A story about a peta who was part of a flock.
  • Pāṭaliputtapetavatthu (The Peta of Pāṭaliputta): A story about a peta from Pāṭaliputta.
  • Ambavatthu (The Peta of the Mango Tree): A story related to a mango tree.
  • Akkhaskkhapetavattu (The Peta of the Acacia Tree): A story related to an acacia tree.
  • Bhogasaṃharapettavattu (The Peta of Hoarding Wealth): A story about someone who hoarded wealth.
  • Seṭṭhiputtapetavatthu (The Peta of the Merchant's Son): A story about a merchant's son.

The Petavatthu, in general, serves as a moral teaching, illustrating the results of good and bad deeds. The stories often involve beings in difficult or unpleasant states due to their past actions, and the narrative frequently includes explanations of how these states came about through specific karmic causes. They also highlight the possibility of relief through the merit generated by living beings through acts of generosity, virtue, and spiritual practice, often directed towards the Sangha or enlightened beings. The text emphasizes the impermanence of suffering and the potential for liberation through understanding and right action.