Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.2553
Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v2.c31.2553
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v2.c31.2553
Māthara (*v.l.* Matthara).—A parrot belonging to Mahosadha. When Mahosadha wished to find out the plans of Cūḷaṇī Brahmadatta, he sent Māthara to the mynah that lived in Cūḷaṇī’s bedchamber. Māthara made love to her, pretending that he had come from Aritṭhapura to ask her to marry him, because his first wife (also a mynah) had been killed by a hawk. He related the stories of Vāsudeva and Jambāvatī and of Vaccha and Rattavatī, to prove that husband and wife need not be equal in birth. Having won her heart and discovered Cūḷaṇī’s secrets, Māthara flew back to Mahosadha.¹ He is identified with Ānanda.²