Aggabodhis

Aggabodhi is a personal name that appears frequently in early Sri Lankan history, especially among the monarchs of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. The name is derived from Pali and Sanskrit roots meaning “obtained by the divine” or “noble descendant,” reflecting the high aspirations of the bearers. Many kings who ruled from the 4th to the 7th centuries CE were named Aggabodhi, indicating a dynastic tradition of using shared royal names.

The most prominent figures bearing the name include King Aggabodhi I (reigned 248–286 CE), who is credited with consolidating the elaborate irrigation systems that sustained the city’s agriculture; King Aggabodhi II (reigned 407–415 CE), noted for his patronage of Buddhist monastic establishments; and King Aggabodhi III (reigned 437–455 CE), known for the expansion of the country’s boundaries and the commissioning of important Buddhist inscriptions. While there were also other kings and regional leaders named Aggabodhi who ruled briefly or over smaller territories, these three played a formative role in establishing the political and religious foundations of early Sri Lanka.

Apart from royal usage, Aggabodhi is found as a name among Buddhist monks and lay scholars. Buddhist literature records monks named Aggabodhi who contributed to the dissemination of the teachings during the Sangha’s early centuries. In contemporary times, the name remains in use, typically chosen for its historical significance and spiritual connotation. Overall, the recurrence of the name Aggabodhi underscores both dynastic continuity in the Anuradhapura period and the cultural interweaving of royal authority with Buddhist tradition.