Videha1. Videha.- A millionaire in the time of Padumuttara Buddha. He was a previous birth of MahÄ Kassapa. His wife was BhaddÄ KÄpilÄnÄ« in this age. Ap.ii.578. 2. Videha, VidehÄ.- A country and its people. At the time of the Buddha, Videha formed one of the two important principalities of the Vajjian confederacy. Its capital was MithilÄ. The kingdom bordered on the Ganges, on one side of which was Magadha and on the other Videha (See, e.g., M.i.225; MA.i.448). Adjacent to it were KÄsi and Kosala. In theGandhÄra JÄtaka (J.iii.365; iv. 316) the kingdom of Videha is said to have been three hundred leagues in extent, with sixteen thousand villages, well filled storehouses and sixteen thousand dancing girls. Videha was a great trade centre, and mention is made (PvA.227) of merchants coming from SÄvatthi to sell their wares in Videha. The Suruci JÄtaka seems to show that a close connection existed between Videha and Benares. In the Buddha’s time, one of BimbisÄra’s queens was probably from Videha (see Vedehiputta). Mention is also made (MA.i.534) of a friendship existing between the kings of GandhÄra and Videha. In earlier times Videha was evidently a kingdom, its best known kings being MahÄjanaka and Nimi; but in the Buddha’s time it was a republic, part of the Vajjian federation. According to the MahÄgovinda Sutta (D.ii.235), it was KingRenu who, with the help of MahÄgovinda JotipÄla, founded the Videha kingdom. The Commentaries (e.g., DA.ii.482; MA.i.184) state that Videha was colonized by the inhabitants, who were brought from Pubbavideha by King MandhÄtÄ. The Satapatha BrÄhmana (I.iv.1), however, ascribes the kingdom to MÄthava the Videgha, and gives as its boundaries KausikÄ« in the east, the Ganges to the south, the SadÄrÅ«ra in the west, and the HimÄlaya in the north. In the centre of Videha was Pabbatarattha, in which was the city Dhammakonda, the residence of Dhaniya. (SNA.i.26). The strainer used by the Buddha was honoured, after his death, by the people of Videha (Bu.xxviii.11). Uruvela Kassapa was, in a previous birth, king of Videha (Ap.ii.483). 3. Videha.- The name of a king of Videha, the father of the Bodhisatta in the VinÄ«laka JÄtaka (q.v.) v.l. Vedeha. 4. Videha.- A king of Videha who later became an ascetic. For his story see the GandhÄra JÄtaka. He is identified with Ä€nanda. v.l. Vedeha. J.iii.369. 5. Videha.- See Vedeha. |
|
 |
|
Dictionary of PÄli Proper Names • G.P. Malalasekera |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|