Suṁsumāragiri untranslated

Suṁsumāragiri. A city in the Bhagga country, of which it was probably the capital (see e.g., Vin-a.iv.862). Gotama Buddha spent the eighth vassa there (Bv­a.3). Near the city was the Bhesakalāvana where the Buddha stayed.

During his visits there he preached the Anumānasutta (MN.i.95f) and the Bodhirājasutta (MN.ii.91f). The city was the residence of Nakulapitā and his wife, with whom the Buddha had several interviews (e.g., AN.ii.61; iii.295 f; iv.268; SN.iii.1; iv.116).

It is said that once, when the Buddha was at Suṁsumāragiri, he saw with his divine eye Moggallāna at Kallavālamutta half asleep, and appeared before him and admonished him (AN.iv.85).

On another occasion, he saw Anuruddha in the Veḷuvana in the Ceti country, pondering over the seven Mahā Purisavitakkas, and appeared before him to encourage him (AN.iv.228f). Both incidents show that the Buddha visited Suṁsumāragiri quite early in his career, in the first year after the Awakening. Moggallāna also stayed in Suṁsumāragiri, and there Māra is said to have entered his stomach and to have given him trouble (MN.i.332f.; cf. Thag.vs.1208). Suṁsumāragiri was the birthplace of Sirimaṇḍa Thera (Thag­a.i.462) and the scene of the meditations of Siṅgālakapitā. Several Vinaya rules were passed during the Buddha’s stay at Suṁsumāragiri (Vin.ii.127; iv.115f; 198f).

The Dhonasākhajātaka (Ja 353) was preached there (Ja.iii.157f). Prince Bodhi, the governor of the Bhagga country, evidently lived in Suṁsumāragiri, and it was there that he had his famous palace, called Kokanada.

It is said that the city was so-called because when it was being built a crocodile (suṁsumāra) made a noise in a lake near by (MN­a.i.292; SN­a.ii.181).