Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c28.105

v2.c28.105

4. Phussadeva.—One of the chief warriors of Duṭṭhagāmaṇi. He was born in the village of Gaviṭa and his father was Uppala. Once, having gone to the vihāra with other boys, he saw a conch-shell offered at the bodhi-tree and blew on it. All those who heard him stood as if stunned, and he came to be called Ummāda-Phussadeva. His father was an archer, and he himself became very skilled in this art,¹ the best archer in the island.² In Duṭṭhagāmaṇi’s fight with Bhalluka, Phussadeva sat behind the king on the elephant and shot Bhalluka. His arrow grazed the king’s ear, causing the blood to flow. In expiation, Phussadeva cut off the lobe of his own ear and showed it to the king. Later the king planted Phussadeva’s arrow on the floor, and covering it to its full height with *kahāpaṇas*, gave the money to Phussadeva.³