Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c27.1230

v2.c27.1230

Among the king’s most valued possessions was the elephant Seta²³; he had two other elephants, Bhadderaka (or Pāveyyaka)²⁴ and Puṇḍarīka.²⁵ Mention is also made²⁶ of a pet heron which lived in the palace and conveyed messages. Tradition says²⁷ that Pasenadi had in his possession the octagonal gem which Sakka had given to Kusa. He valued it greatly, using it as his turban jewel, and was greatly upset when it was reported lost; it was, however, recovered with the help and advice of Ānanda. The Jātaka Commentary²⁸ records that Pasenadi built a monastery in front of Jetavana. It was called the Rājakārāma, and the Buddha sometimes stayed there. Pasenadi’s chaplain, Aggidatta (q.v.) had originally been Mahākosala’s chaplain. Pasenadi therefore paid him great respect. This inconvenienced Aggidatta, and he gave his wealth to the poor and renounced the world.²⁹ Pasenadi’s minister, Santati (q.v.), who was once allowed to reign for a week in the king’s place as reward for having quelled a frontier dispute, did likewise.³⁰ The king was always ready to pay honour to those who had won the praise of the Buddha, as in the case of Kāṇā,³¹ Culla-Eka-Sāṭaka,³² or Aṅgulimāla³³; on the other hand, he did not hesitate to show his disapproval of those who disregarded the Buddha’s teaching—e.g., Upananda.³⁴