Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c9.1523

v1.c9.1523

1. Uruvelā.—A locality on the banks of the Nerañjarā, in the neighbourhood of the Bodhi-tree at Buddhagayā. Here, after leaving Āḷara and Uddaka, the Bodhisatta practised during six years the most severe penances. His companions were the Pañcavaggiya-monks, who, however, left him when he relaxed the severity of his austerities.¹ The place chosen by the Bodhisatta for his penances was called Senā-nigama.² The Jātaka version³ contains additional particulars. It relates that once the Bodhisatta fainted under his austerities, and the news was conveyed to his father that he was dead. Suddhodana, however, refused to believe this, remembering the prophecy of Kāḷadevala. When the Bodhisatta decided to take ordinary food again, it was given to him by a girl, Sujātā,⁴ daughter of Senānī of the township of Senānī. In the neighbourhood of Uruvelā were also the Ajapāla Banyan-tree, the Mucalinda-tree and the Rājāyatana-tree, where the Buddha spent some time after his Enlightenment, and where various shrines, such as the Animisa-cetiya, the Ratanacaṅkama-cetiya and the Ratanaghara later came into existence.⁵ From Uruvelā the Buddha went to Isipatana, but after he had made sixty-one arahants and sent them out on tour to preach the Doctrine, he returned to Uruvelā, to the Kappāsikavana-saṇḍa and converted the Bhaddavaggiya.⁶ At Uruvelā dwelt also the Tebhātika-Jaṭilas: Uruvela-Kassapa, Nadī-Kassapa and Gayā-Kassapa, who all became followers of the Buddha.⁷