Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c21.314

v1.c21.314

Talatādevī.—Mother of Cūlanī Brahmadatta, king of Pañcāla, her husband being Mahā Cūḷaṇi. She was a very wise woman, wiser than the ten sages of the court. A story is related of how, in her wisdom, she managed to procure an adequate reward for a man who had saved another from drowning at the risk of his own life.¹ We are told that, while her son was still young, she committed adultery with the chaplain Chambhī, poisoned her husband, and made the chaplain king. Later, Chambhī wished to kill Cūḷaṇi, but Talatā saved his life by sending him to the royal cook.² She had a son by Chambī, called Tikhiṇamanti.³ She is identified with Cullanandikā.⁴