A young brahmin, pupil of Tārukkha. A discussion between him and Vāseṭṭha led to the teaching of the Tevijja Sutta (D.i.235), and also the Vāseṭṭha Sutta (SN., p.115 ff; M.ii.197 f).

Bhāradvāja later became the Buddha’s follower (D.i.252; SN., p.123). The Aggañña Sutta was taught him and to Vāseṭṭha when they were undergoing the probationary period prior to their becoming fully ordained monks (D.iii.80).

Buddhaghosa says (DA.iii.860) that they accepted the Buddha as their teacher at the conclusion of the Vāseṭṭha Sutta and entered the Order at the end of the Tevijja Sutta. Later, while meditating on the teachings of the Aggañña Sutta, they became Arahants (DA.iii.872). According to Buddhaghosa, Bhāradvāja belonged to a noble family worth four hundred and fifty million (DA.iii.860).