Mahaushadha

Family: Videha · Role: minister; son of Pūrṇa and Viśākhā · First appears: Chapter VIII

Born in Pūrṇakatshtshha to Pūrṇa and his wife, Mahaushadha was named at his mother’s request. Janaka later summoned him, appointed him minister and granted Pūrṇa a village. Mahaushadha served Janaka by resolving cases, including exposing the abduction of an old Brahman’s wife and recovering a learned Brahman’s stolen gold.

At Kaksha, Mahaushadha married Viśākhā with her family’s assent; Janaka approved the marriage when he reached Videha. When Janaka’s daughter accused him of adultery and theft, the king ordered his execution, but after his innocence was established, Janaka released him and honoured him. Viśākhā later exposed six ministers’ attempted seduction, and Mahaushadha revealed them to Janaka. He also sent the parrot Māṭhara to learn what the ministers were doing; after Māṭhara reported their conspiracy, Mahaushadha informed Janaka, who banished them. Later, Mahaushadha brought Aushadhī and the treasury from Panchāla, and Janaka married her.