[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Dictionary of Pali Proper Names](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937) › v2.c26.535 # Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c26.535 Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v2.c26.535 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c26.535](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c26.535) Naḷasākiyā.—A branch of the Sākiyas. When Viḍūḍabha waged war on the Sākiyas, he gave orders that all those calling themselves by the name of Sākiya should be slain. His men went about asking for those who were called Sākiyas. Some of these therefore took blades of grass in their teeth and others reeds. When asked if they were Sākiyas, the former said “not sāka” (potherb) but “grass,” (tiṇa), and the latter “ not \*sāka\* ” (potherb) but “ reed ” (\*naḷa\*). Owing to this play on their name they escaped death. Thenceforth they were known respectively as \*Tiṇasākiyā\* and \*Naḷasākiyā\*.¹ - [Previous: v2.c26.534](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c26.534) - [Next: v2.c26.536](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c26.536) - [Up: v2.c26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c26) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c26.535](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v2.c26.535) · Pramāṇa