He was born in a brahmin family of Sāvatthi, and, after hearing the Buddha teach, entered the Order. Taking a formula of meditation, he dwelt on the hill called Nesādaka. Unable to prevent the rising of evil thoughts, he was disgusted with himself, and climbing a steep crag, made as if to throw himself down, and evoking insight became an Arahant.

In the time of Sumedha Buddha he was a brahmin teacher skilled in the Vedas, and the Buddha visited him in his hermitage on the banks of the Sindhū and was given honey by him (ThagA.vs.115; ThagA.i.227 ff). Mahānāma is probably identical with Madhudāyaka Thera of the Apadāna. Ap.ii.325 f.