Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.260

v2.c36.260

The Sākyans were very jealous of the purity of their race; they belonged to the Ādiccagotta,⁸ and claimed descent from Okkāka (q.v.). Their ancestors were the nine children of Okkāka, whom he banished in order to give the kingdom to Jantukumāra, his son by another queen. These nine children went towards Himavā, and, having founded Kapilavatthu (q.v. for details), lived there. To the eldest sister they gave the rank of mother, and the others married among themselves. The eldest sister, Piyā, later married Rāma, king of Benares, and their descendants became known as the Koliyans (see s.v. Koliyā for details). When Okkāka heard of this, he praised their action, saying, "Sakyā vata bho kumārā, parasakyā vata bho rājakumārā"; hence their name came to be "Sakyā."