v.l. Kālakañjā, Kālakañjikā.– A class of Asurā (q.v.) They were present at the Mahāsamaya, and are spoken of as being of a fearsome shape (D.ii.259; also DA.iii.789.820). They are the very lowest of the Asura groups, and the Buddha warns Sunakkhatta that Korakkhattiya will, after his death from epilepsy, be born among them; and it did so happen (D.iii.7 f; J.i.389). Bodhisattas are never born among the Kālakañcikā (J.i.44; BuA.224).

Sometimes (e.g., J.v.187; PvA.272), when Asurā are mentioned, the Commentaries explain the word as meaning the Kālakañcikā. Beings born among them suffer from excessive thirst, which they are unable to quench even by immersing themselves in the Gaṅgā. (For a story of one of them see VibhA.5). The Kālakañcikā resemble the petas in shape, sex-life, diet, and length of life, and they intermarry with them (Kvu.360).