A potter in Rājagaha in whose dwelling the Buddha met and conversed with Pukkusāti (M.iii.237).

Bhaggava seems to have been a generic name for all potters, perhaps a special form of address used towards members of the kumbhakāra “caste.” Thus we find in the books several instances of potters being addressed as “Bhaggava.” e.g., DhA.i.33; J.ii.80, iii.382. At J.111.382 the potter’s wife is addressed as “Bhaggavī.”

In the Saṃyuttanikāya (S.i.36, 60) the Buddha addresses Ghaṭīkāra Brahmā as “Bhaggava”; he had been a potter of Vegaliṅga in his previous birth and the name “Ghaṭīkāra” itself means “jar-maker.” The Commentaries give no explanation of the word; perhaps the potters claimed their descent from Bhṛgu.

Bhaggava is sometimes given as an example of a clan (gotta), e.g., Sp.i.160 (with Gotama).

See also Bhaggavagotta.