Vemacitrin (Sanskrit) or Vepacitti (PÃÂli) is the name of a leader of the Asuras who figures prominently in many Buddhist sà «tras.
Vemacitrin is the most prominent of the leaders of the Asuras in their fight with the devas of where they had formerly lived. After one battle he was made prisoner and bound before the throne of à Âakra, ruler of , whom he treated with bitter verbal abuse. à Âakra bore his insults patiently, and argued that such patience was a sign of strength, not of weakness. (Vepacitti-sutta, SN.xi.4)
On another occasion, Vemacitrin and à Âakra had a contest of verses, before a joint company of devas and asuras. Each of them alternated with a verse of his spontaneous composition, to see who could speak best. à Âakra was awarded the prize by both sides, because it was judged that Vemacitrin's verses tended entirely to contention and violence, whereas à Âakra's were edifying and tended to peace and harmony. (Subhasitajaya-sutta, SN.xi.5)
Vemacitrin's daughter was named Sujà(or SujÃÂtÃÂ). After a courtship that extended over many lives, Sujàmarried à Âakra and Vemacitrin became his enemy's father-in-law.