A locality near Kosambí.

When the monks of Kosambí started quarrelling, the Buddha left them and went to Bálakalonakáráma, where he visited Bhagu and preached to him on the virtues of solitude. From there the Buddha proceeded to Pácínavamsadáya (Vin.i.350; M.iii.154; DhA.i.47; J.iii.489).

The readings of the texts are uncertain, and it is impossible to say whether a village (gáma) is meant or only a grove (áráma).

The reading Bálakalonakáragáma occurs in the Majjhima Commentary (MA.ii.596); but even here two explanations are given: one to the effect that Bálaka was the name of a village of salt makers (? lonakáragáma) belonging to Upáli phapati. When the inhabitants of the village came to Upáli with their taxes, he went with them (bálakagámavásiniyá . . . parisáya) to see Nigantha Nátaputta.

The other explanation is that the word bálakiniyá in the text is an adjective meaning "composed of fools" (bálavatiyá bálussannáya) (Cp.,J.i.246, where mention is made of bálagámikamanussá who were obviously fools). The confusion seems, therefore, to have arisen very early. Upáli's village (of Báka), if such a place existed, was probably near Nálandá.


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