Geography of Early Buddhism c7.s1.15

c7.s1.15

In the Aṅguttara Nikāya Assaka is mentioned as one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas of Jambudīpa (AN., I, p. 213; IV, pp. 252, 256, 260). From the Mahāgovinda Suttanta of the Dīgha Nikāya (Vol. II, p. 235) we learn that Potana was the capital city of the Assakas. In the Sutta-nipāta (verse 977) we find, however, mention of another Assaka country in the Dakkhiṇāpatha. We are told that the brahmin Bāvari lived on the banks of the Godāvarī in the Assaka territory in close proximity to Aḷaka or Muḷaka (the district round Paithan). In a Jātaka story (Jāt., III, 3-5) we find that the relationship between King Kāliṅga of Dantapura and King Assaka of Potana, was at first hostile. But afterwards the two kings lived amicably. In the Vimānavatthu Commentary (pp. 259 ff.) we find the story of an Assaka king who was ordained by Mahākaccāyana. In the Commentary the capital city is named Potanagara.