In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Vettavati. A river, probably in the kingdom of Mejjha. According to the Matanga Jataka (J.iv.388; cf. Dvy. 451, 456), Matanga lived in a hermitage on the upper reaches of the river in order to humble the pride of Jatimanta, who lived lower down. On the banks of the river was a city, also called Vettavati.

In the Milinda panha (p.114) the Vettavati is mentioned as one of the ten chief rivers flowing from the Himalaya. It is probably identical with the Vetravati mentioned in Kalidasas Meghaduta, and is identified with the modern Betuva in Bhopal (the ancient Vidisa).

2. Vettavati. A channel branching off from the Parakkamasamudda; the sluice from which it started bore the same name. Cv.lxxix.44.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

India history and geography

Source: archive.org: Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 1963

Vettavatī is one of the twenty canal-systems associated with Parakkamasamudda waters that existed in the Polonnaruva (Polonnaruwa) district of Ceylon (Sri Lanka).—The Pūjāvaliya gives the name Mahāsamudra to the Parakkamasamudda at Polonnaruva. The canal system associated with Parakkamasamudda is described and named in the Cūlavamsa as follows:—[...] Vettavatī canal, from the Vettavatī sluice; [...].

Source: Ancient Buddhist Texts: Geography of Early Buddhism

Vettavatī (वेत्तवती) is the name of an ancient locality situated in Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—The city of Vettavatī was on the bank of the river of that name (cf. Mātaṃga Jātaka). It is doubtless identical with Sanskrit Vetravatī mentioned in Kālidāsa’s Meghadūtaṃ. The Vettavatī river is identified with the modern Betva, a small tributary of the Ganges.

Vetravatī, a river, is mentioned in the Milindapañho. From the Mātaṅga Jātaka we know that the city of Vettavatī was on the banks of the river of that name. It is the river Betwa in the kingdom of Bhopal, an affluent of the Jumnā, on which stands Bhilsā or the ancient Vidisā.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Vetta, Vati.

Full-text: Vetranadi, Bandhumant, Parakkasamudda, Vetravati, Jatimanta, Parakkamasamudda, Himava, Matanga Jataka.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Vettavati, Vettavatī, Vetta-vati, Vetta-vatī; (plurals include: Vettavatis, Vettavatīs, vatis, vatīs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)

Jataka 497: Mātaṅga-jātaka < [Volume 4]

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