Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.3759

v2.c36.3759

Suddhodana.—A Sākyan Rājā of Kapilavatthu and father of Gotama Buddha. He was the son of Sīhahanu and Kaccānā. His brothers were Dhotodana, Sakkodana, Sukkodana and Amitodana, and his sisters were Amitā and Pamitā. Māyā was his chief consort, and, after her death, her sister Pajāpatī was raised to her position.¹ When soothsayers predicted that his son Gotama had two destinies awaiting him, either that of universal sovereignty or of Buddhahood, he exerted his utmost power to provide the prince with all kinds of luxuries in order to hold him fast to household life. It is said² that when Asita, who was his father's chaplain and his own teacher, visited Suddhodana to see the newly born prince, and paid homage to the infant by allowing his feet to rest on his head, Suddhodana was filled with wonder and himself worshipped the child. And when, at the ploughing ceremony, Suddhodana saw how the jambu-tree under which the child had been placed kept its shadow immoveable in order to protect him, and that the child was seated cross-legged in the air, he again worshipped him.³