Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c9.s5.98

c9.s5.98

Buddhaghosa's story of Vassakāra being offered a post in the Vajjian administration at Vesāli is not plausible.² Though it is by no means impossible that a Brāhmaṇa of his calibre might receive such honour and high position, it seems unlikely in the case of a politician noted for his diplomacy and unscrupulousness. Moreover, we should not forget that the commentator also mentions a group of Vesālians who opposed even Vassakāra's entry into the Vajjian territory across the Ganges.³