• Kanha

1. Kanha. A name for Māra. E.g., Sn.v.355; M.i.377; D.ii.262; Thag.v.1189.

2. Kanha. The name of the Bodhisatta; he was born in a brahmin family and later became a sage. He is also called Kanha-tāpasa, and is mentioned among those the memory of whose lives caused the Buddha to smile. See Kanha Jātaka (2). DhsA.294, 426.

3. Kanha.Another name of Vāsudeva (J.iv.84, 86; vi.421; PvA.94ff ); the scholiast explains that he belonged to the Kanhāyanagotta.

4. Kanha.Son of Disā, a slave girl of Okkāka. He was called Kanha because he was black and, like a devil (kanha), spoke as soon as he was born. He was the ancestor of the Kanhāyanagotta (D.i.93). Later he went into the Dekkhan and, having learnt mystic verses, became a mighty seer. Coming back to Okkāka, Kanha demanded the hand of the king's daughter Maddarūpī. At first the request was indignantly refused, but when Kanha displayed his supernatural powers he gained the princess. D.i.96f.; DA.i.266.

5. Kanha. A Pacceka Buddha, mentioned in the Isigili Sutta. M.iii.71.

6. Kanha. A dog. See Mahā-Kanha.

7. Kanha.See Kanhadīpāyana.