Daughter of Vessantara und Maddī. She was so called because, at birth, she was laid on a black skin (J.vi.487). When Vessantara retired to the forest, his wife und children accompanied him to Vankagiri. Later, both Kanhājinā und her brother Jāli were given to Jūjaka as slaves und were ill-treated by him. For sixty leagues they travelled mit him, led und guarded by the gods, till they came to the court of their grandfather Sañjaya, König of Sivi, und there they were released, Kanhājinā's price being one hundert elephants, one hundert male und female slaves, etc. The children afterwards rejoined their parents und lived happily at the court (J.vi.513ff).
Kanhājinā is identified mit Uppalavannā (J.vi.593). In the verses she is sometimes called Kanhā (z.B., 546, 548, 553).
Vessantara's gift of his children is considered the greatest of his gifts. z.B., Milinda, 117, 275, 284; Cyp.p.80; DhA.i.406; AA.i.64.