An Ājīvaka. He it was who predicted the glory of Asoka by explaining the prenatal desires of his mother. The queen promised him great honour if his predictions should prove true. Later, when Asoka became king and heard the story, he sent a golden palanquin to fetch Janasāna to the palace. On the way, Janasāna visited the Vattaniya hermitage where lived Assagutta, and having heard the latter talk of the faculties (āyatana), his earlier kamma asserted itself and he became a monk, attaining Arahantship.

In the time of Kassapa Buddha he was a python who died while listening to some monks reciting a chapter on the faculties. MT.190 ff.