3. Bhaggava. 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 Samyutta Nikāya (S.i.36, 60) the Buddha addresses Ghatīkāra Brahmā as "Bhaggava"; he had been a potter of Vehalinga in his previous birth and the name "Ghatīkāra" itself means "jar maker." The Commentaries give no explanation of the word; perhaps the potters claimed their descent from Bhrgu.
Bhaggava is sometimes given as an example of a gotta. E.g., Sp.i.160 (with Gotama).
See also Bhaggavagotta.