Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c18.522

v1.c18.522

1. Jeta.—A prince. Owner of Jetavana, which he sold to Anāthapiṇḍika for eighteen crores. He then spent all that money on the erection of a gateway at the entrance, which he decorated with much grandeur.¹ Jeta is generally referred to as Jeta-Kumāra. According to the northern records he was the son of Pasenadi by the Kṣatriya princess Varṣikā.² He was killed by his half-brother Viḍuḍabha for refusing to help him in his slaughter of the Sākyans.³ Several explanations⁴ are given of his name: he was so-called either (1) because he conquered his enemies, or (2) because he was born at a time when the king had overcome his enemies, or (3) because such a name was considered auspicious for him (maṅgalakāmyatāya).