Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.3009

v2.c31.3009

Mithilā.—The capital of the Videha country. The city was very ancient, and, according to the Mahāgovinda Sutta,¹ was founded by Mahāgovinda, steward of King Reṇu. It was also the capital of Makhādeva² and eighty-four thousand of its descendants, and of various other kings mentioned in the Jātakas—e.g., Aṅgati (vi. 220), Ariṭṭhajanaka (vi. 30), Nimi (iii. 378), Videha (ii. 39), Vedeha (vi. 330), Mahājanaka (vi. 30 f.), Sādhīna (iv. 355), and Suruci (ii. 333). The size of the city is frequently given³ as seven leagues in circumference, and the Mahājanaka Jātaka⁴ contains a description of it. There was a road leading from Campā to Mithilā, a distance of sixty leagues.⁵