OTHER MEANING OF THE NAME “VESSANTARA”

Abstract

In Vessantara Jātaka, the Pāli name ‘Vessantara’ of the major character is usually rendered as the prince who was born in the market. The word “Vessantara means “merchant”. Combined with the word “antara”, it denotes a market. This name has no connection with the theme of the Jātaka. On the contrary, in the Viśvantara Avadāna, which is derived form the same source with the Vessantara Jātaka, the Sanskrit name ‘Viśvantara’, means “the prince who crossed over to the transmigratory would”, seems to be more relevant to the theme of that Avadāna. Thus, the study of these two names considers why there are differences in the meanings.