In Pali Literature the Asuras are classed among the inferior deities together with the supaṇṇas, gandhabbas, yakkhas, garuḍas and nāgas. Rebirth as an Asura is considered as one of the four …

Bhāradvāja¹

A monk whose Theragāthā verses speak of the heroic roar of the conquerors. Thag.177–178

Bhāradvāja²

He was the eldest of a clan of Bhāradvājas living in Rājagaha a …

The inhabitants of the lowest deva world. his world derives its name from the Four Great Kings (Cattāro Mahārājāno) who dwell there as guardians of the four quarters: Dhataraṭṭha of the East, Virūḷh …

Dhataraṭṭha¹

One of the Cātummahārājikā, the ruler of the Eastern Quarter. His followers are the Gandhabbas. He has numerous sons called Indra.DN.ii.207 DN.ii.220 DN.ii.257f. DN.iii.197 …

A class of semi-divine beings who inhabit the Cātummahārājika realm and are the lowest among the devas. DN.ii.212 They are generally classed together with the Asuras and the Nāgas AN.iv.200 AN.iv.204 …

GijjhakūṭaVulture’s Peak

One of the five hills encircling Rājagaha. It was evidently a favourite resort of those who followed the religious life.

The Buddha seems to have been attracted by its solit …

KhiḍḍāpadosikāKhiḍḍāpadūsikā

A class of devas who live in the Cātummahārājika world. For ages they spend their time in laughter and in sport of sensual lusts. In consequence their self-possession is …

A vassal of the Cātummahārājikas, present at the preaching of the Mahāsamaya Sutta. DN.ii.258

…sustenance (viññāṇāhāra) Moliya asks a question as to who feeds on consciousness. The Buddha rejects the question as being wrongly put…

A class of beings classed with Garuḷas and Supaṇṇas and playing a prominent part in Buddhist folk lore. They are gifted with miraculous powers and great strength. Generally speaking, they are confused …

An Asura chief. DN.ii.259 At the Nalerupucimaṇḍa in Verañja he visited the Buddha. In answer to a question, Pahārāda tells the Buddha that there are eight wonderful characteristics of the ocean, on ac …

A chieftain of Setavyā, who lived on a royal domain gifted by Pasenadi. He held the view that there was no world other than this, no fruit of actions and no rebirth. But after a discussion with Kūmara …

SakkaVatrabhūVāsavaMaghavāMāghaPurindadaSahassakkhaSahassanettaSujampatiKosiya

Almost always spoken of as chief of the devas. The Saṃyutta Nikāya SN.i.229 contains a list of his names.

• Maghavā, be …

Serissaka¹

A Yakkha chieftain to be invoked in time of need by followers of the Buddha. DN.iii.205

Serissaka¹Serīsaka

A vimāna in the Cātummahārājika world, which was occupi …

TāvatiṃsāTidasāTidiva

The second of the six deva-worlds, the first being the Cātummahārājika world. Tāvatiṃsā stands at the top of Mount Sineru. Sakka is king of Tāvatiṃsā.

Tāvatiṃsā was also known …

Uttara¹

A monk whose verses are recorded in the Theragāthā. Thag.121–122

Uttara²

A monk whose verse are recorded in the Theragāthā. Thag.161–162

Uttara³

A *devapu …

A town in which the Buddha once spent the rainy season at the invitation of the brahmin Verañja. Verañja visits the Buddha at the foot of the Naḷerupucimanda, where he is staying, and asks him a serie …