1. Candagutta.-King of Jambudípa. He belonged to the Moriya dynasty and gained the throne through the scheming of Cánakka, who slew the rightful king Dhanananda and his heir Pabbata. (The Mahávamsatíká gives details of how Cánakka contrived to make Candagutta king (pp.181ff)). Candagutta reigned twenty-four years and was succeeded by his son Bindusára. His grandson was Asoka (Mhv.v.16ff). Candagutta's senior contemporary in Ceylon was Pandukábhaya, who died in the fourteenth year of Candagutta's reign (Dpv.vi.15; Sp.i.72; see also Dpv.v.69, 73, 81; both the Dpv. and the Sp. talk of Pakundakábhaya (sic)). The Milinda (p.292; see also Kathásaritságara i.30) mentions a soldier Bhaddasála, in the service of the Nanda royal family, who waged war against Candagutta. In this war there were eighty "Corpse Dances" in which dead bodies danced. The Theragáthá Commentary (i., p.440) states that the father of the Thera Tekic-Chakári incurred the displeasure of Candagutta, who, at the instigation of Cánakka, cast him into prison.
2. Candagutta Thera.-Saddhivihárika of Mahá Kassapa Thera. His colleague was Suriyagutta. SA.iii.125.
3. Candagutta.-One of the eight khattiyas sent by Asoka to accompany the Bodhi-tree to Ceylon. He took a prominent part in the celebrations when the Tree left Pátaliputta (Mbv.152), and later, on his arrival in Ceylon, was appointed by Davánaippiyatissa to beat the golden drum at the Bodhi-tree ceremonies. He was given the office of Malayarája and the Virabáhujanapada was bestowed on him for his maintenance (Mbv.165).
4. Candagutta.-An arahant Thera who came from Vanavása with 80,000 others for the foundation of the Mahá Thúpa in Anurádhapura. Mhv.xxix.42; Dpv.xix.8.