• Vāsudeva

The eldest of the Andhakavenhudāsaputtā.

The Ghata Jātaka (No. 454) relates how, when Vāsudeva's son died and Vāsudeva gave himself up to despair, his brother Ghatapandita brought him to his senses by feigning madness.

Vāsudeva's minister was Rohineyya. Vāsudeva is addressed (J.iv.84; he is called Kanha at J. vi.421) as Kanha and again as Kesava. The scholiast explains (J.iv.84) that he is called Kanha because he belonged to the Kanhāyanagotta, and Kesava because he had beautiful hair (kesasobhanatāya). These names, however, give support to the theory (see Andhakavenhudāsaputtā, No.1) that the story of Vāsudeva was associated with the legend of Krsna.

In the Mahāummagga Jātaka (J.vi.421) it is stated that Jambāvatī, mother of King Sivi, was the consort of Vāsudeva Kanha. The scholiast identifies this Vāsudeva with the eldest of the Andhakavenhudāsaputtā, and says that Jambāvatī was a candalī. Vāsudeva fell in love with her because of her great beauty and married her in spite of her caste. Their son was Sivi, who later succeeded to his father's throne at Dvāravatī.

Vāsudeva is identified with Sāriputta. J. iv.89.

Vāsudevavattikā. Probably followers of Vāsudeva (? Krsna); they are mentioned with Baladevavattikā and others in a list of samanabrāhmanāvattasuddhikā. Nid.i.89; cf. Vāsudevāytana at DhSA., p.141.