John,

I think Kosala (m) or Kosalii (f) are more common as personal names. Yes, the most
famous origin is of course that of the great kingdom's name, Kosala (which Pasenadii
lorded over).

The words means "skilful, proficient, good".

In his Dictionary of Pali Proper Names (DPPN), Malalasekera gives this summary from
the Comys:

The Commentaries [SnA 2:400 f.; DA 1:239 f.] give a curious explanation of the name
Kosalaa. It is said that when nothing could make Mahaapanaada smile, his father
[Suruci,king of Mithilaa] offered a big reward for anyone who could succeed in doing
this. People, accordingly, left their work and flocked to the court, but it was not
until Sakka sent down a celestial actor that Mahaapanaada showed any signs of being
amused. When this happened the men returned to their various duties, and on their way
home, when meeting their friends, they asked of each other, "Kacci kho kusala.m,
kacci kho kusala.m" ["Clever, isn't it!" or "How skilful!"]. The district where this
occurred came to be called Kosalaa on account of the repetition of the word kusala.
[My parentheses.]

P.

palistudent@... wrote:

> My wife was recently on a precepts retreat and at the end of it was
> presented with a certificate containing her new paa.li name.
> However, I'm wondering whether it is a misprint. The name she was
> given was "kosalii" (with the translation "skillful one"). I think
> that the word should be "kusalii" instead, since I would think the
> former is more related to the Kosala area of India rather than to the
> word "kusala". Any thoughts?
>
> John Kelly
> (now subscribed under a different email address - for ease of keeping
> all the interesting mail from this group in a separate place)
>
>
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