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