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Vāsudeva

The Ghata Jātaka (No. 454) relates how, when Vāsudeva’s son died and Vāsudeva gave himself up to despair, his brother Ghatapaṇḍita brought him to his senses by feigning madness.

Vāsudeva’s minister was Rohiṇeyya. Vāsudeva is addressed (J.iv.84; he is called Kaṇha at J.vi.421) as Kaṇha and again as Kesava. The scholiast explains (J.iv.84) that he is called Kaṇha because he belonged to the Kaṇhāyanagotta, and Kesava because he had beautiful hair (kesasobhanatāya). These names, however, give support to the theory (see Andhakavenhudāsaputtā, No.1) that the story of Vāsudeva was associated with the legend of Krsna.

In the Umaṅga Jātaka (J.vi.421) it is stated that Jambāvatī, mother of King Sivi, was the consort of Vāsudeva Kaṇha. The scholiast identifies this Vāsudeva with the eldest of the Andhakaveṇhudāsaputtā, and says that Jambāvatī was an outcaste (caṇḍalī). Vāsudeva fell in love with her because of her great beauty and married her in spite of her caste. Their son was Sivi, who later succeeded to his father’s throne at Dvāravatī.

Vāsudeva is identified with Sāriputta. J.iv.89.

Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names • G.P. Malalasekera