Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c23.906

v1.c23.906

¹ Mhv. ii. 22; MT. 136; DhA. iii. 44. The Dulva (Rockhill, p. 13) calls him the son of Amitodana and brother of Ānanda. This is supported by Mtu. (ii. 69), which says that after the Buddha's renunciation, Devadatta tried to tempt Bhaddakaccānā. In one passage in the Vinaya (ii. 189), Devadatta is spoken of as Godhiputta. Does this mean that his mother's name was Godhi? The Sanskrit books (*e.g.*, Mtu) give several stories of his youth which show his malice. When Siddhattha was about to show his skill in the arts, a white elephant was being brought for him, and Devadatta, out of envy, killed it. The carcase blocked the city gates till Siddhattha threw it outside. The Pāli Commentaries (*e.g.*, SA. i. 62) say that Devadatta had the strength of five elephants. On another occasion he quarrelled with Siddhattha, who protested against his shooting a goose.