King of Ceylon, senior contemporary of Asoka. He was the son of Pandukábhaya and Suvannapálí, and reigned for sixty years (307-247 B.C.). Among his works was the laying out of the Mahámeghavana. He had ten sons and two daughters, and was succeeded by his second son, Devánampiyatissa (Mhv.xi.1ff.; xiii.2). For their names see Dpv.xi.5 and xvii.25f., also MT. 425: Abhaya, Tissa (Devánampiyatissa), Nága (Mahánága), Uttiya, Mattábhayá, Mitta, Síva (Mahá-Síva), Asela, Tissa, (Súratissa), Kíra, Anulá and Sívalí.
The Dípavamsa (v. 82; but see xi.13) says that the sixth year of Asoka's reign corresponded with the forty eighth of Mutasíva's. Mutasíva, was crowned in the fourteenth year of Candagutta's reign and was still alive when the Third Council was held, when Mahinda was entrusted with the conversion of Ceylon; but Mahinda waited for the death of Mutasíva before carrying out his mission. Mhv.xi.12.