Janavasabha.-A Yakkha, a later birth of King Bimbisára. He appears before the Buddha at the Gińjakávasatha in Ńátiká and declares his identity. He is on his way as a messenger from Vessavana to Virúlhaka and reports to the Buddha an account of an assembly of the devas in Távatimsa which had taken place some time earlier, and which account he claims to have heard from Vessavana.
See Janavasabha Sutta (below).
Janavasabha is a Sotápanna and expresses a wish to be a Sakadágámi. He says he remembers fourteen lives in all. D.ii.205f, 207, 214; cp. Janesabha.
Janavasabha Sutta.-Ananda asks the Buddha at Gińjakávasatha questions concerning followers of the Buddha in Magadha. The Yakkha, Janavasabha (above), appears and says he was once King Bimbisára and is now reborn into the communion of King Vessavana. He then proceeds to relate a report he had just heard from Vessavana of an assembly of the gods held in Távatimsa many years earlier, on the full-moon day of Ásálhi. Sakka presided and there were present also the Four Regent Gods. All the devas rejoiced that their numbers were increasing because so many on earth were following the teachings of the Buddha. Then there appeared in the assembly the Brahmá Sanankumára in the guise of Pańcasikha; assuming thirty-three forms, he took his place by each god of Távatimsa and confirmed the glad tidings of the increasing number of devas. He then told them of the Four Ways of Iddhi and the Three Avenues of Bliss as taught by the Buddha, and of the seven samádhi-parikkhárá. Then they all sang the praises of the Buddha. D.ii.200ff. (gr. D.18)