Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c16.220

v1.c16.220

1. **Candana.**—A deva, vassal of the Four Regent Gods.¹ He is mentioned as one of the chief Yakkhas to be invoked by followers of the Buddha in case of need.² He once visited Lomasakaṅgiya at the Nigrodhārāma, questioned him regarding the True Saint, and recited to him stanzas learnt when the Buddha preached the Bhaddekaratta Sutta in Tāvatiṃsa³ (but see below). The Saṃyutta Nikāya⁴ records a conversation between Candana and the Buddha and a visit paid by Candana to Mahā Moggallāna.⁵ Buddhaghosa⁶ says he was an upāsaka in the time of Kassapa Buddha and offered the four requisites to the Buddha and the monks, as a result of which he became a deva. It is elsewhere stated⁷ that in Kassapa's time Candana and Lomasakaṅgiya were friends and that both became monks. When Kassapa preached the Bhaddekaratta Sutta, Candana asked Lomasakaṅgiya to explain it; this he was unable to do, and so made a wish that he should be able to explain it in a future birth, Candana wishing that he should then ask the questions again. Both wishes were fulfilled. For details see Lomasakaṅgiya (2).