Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c30.373

v2.c30.373

**Bhātikābhaya.**—Also called **Bhātika** or **Bhātiya**. Son of **Kuṭakaṇṇa-tissa** and king of Ceylon for twenty-eight years (38-66 A.C.). He was called **Bhātika** or **Bhātiya** because he was the elder brother of **Mahādāthika Mahānāga**. He was very pious, and once had the whole of the **Mahā-Thūpa** covered with sandalwood paste in which were embedded sweet-smelling flowers. On another occasion he covered the whole thūpa with flowers and sprinkled them with water drawn by machines from the **Abhaya-vāpi**. He made a plaster covering for the **Mahā-Thūpa** into which were mixed many cartloads of pearls. A net of coral was made and thrown over the cetiya, and in its meshes were fastened lotus-flowers of gold, as large as waggon-wheels. One day the king heard the sound of the chanting of arahants in the relic-chamber of the **Mahā-Thūpa**, and he lay down resolving not to rise until he had seen them. The theras made a door by which he could enter, and, having seen the glories of the chamber, he described them for the benefit of the people, making figures in illustration of his descriptions. **Bhātikābhaya** did many other works of merit, held **Vesākha**-festivals, organized offerings for the Bodhi-tree, and showed great hospitality to the monks at various places. He was succeeded by his brother Mahādāṭhika-Mahānāga.¹