Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c12.3510

v1.c12.3510

The Commentaries²⁰ give a curious explanation of the name Kosalā. It is said that when nothing could make Mahāpanāda smile, his father offered a big reward for anyone who could succeed in doing this. People, accordingly, left their work and flocked to the court, but it was not until Sakka sent down a celestial actor that Mahāpanāda showed any signs of being amused. When this happened the men returned to their various duties, and on their way home, when meeting their friends, they asked of each other, “ Kacci bho kusalam, kacci bho kusalam.” The district where this occurred came to be called Kosalā on account of the repetition of the word kusala.