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Lājā

A goddess (devadhītā). She was once the watcher of a rice paddy field in Rājagaha, and when Mahā-Kassapa, out of compassion, approached her, she took some of the parched rice and, with devout heart, poured it into his bowl. Almost immediately she was bitten by a snake, and was reborn after death in Tāvatiṃsa. Realising that it was to Kassapa that she owed her good fortune, she decided to wait on him, sweep his cell, etc. As soon as Kassapa discovered this, he forbade her to come near him anymore. Lājā was greatly distressed, and the Buddha, noting her despair, sent a ray of light to console her. DhA.iii.6 ff.