The elder brother of Cūḷapanthaka (q.v.) and grandson of Dhanaseṭṭhi of Rājagaha. He went with his grandfather to hear the Buddha teach, won faith, and entered the Order. He became skilled in the Doctrine, and, in due course, received higher ordination and became an Arahant, with special proficiency in the four formless absorptions (arūpajhāna). Later, he was declared pre-eminent among those skilled in the evolution of consciousness (saññāvivaṭṭakusalānaṃ) (A.i.24).

His resolve to win such eminence was made in the time of Padumuttara Buddha when he heard a monk similarly honoured by the Buddha. ThagA.i.490 f; AA.i.118 f; details about Mahāpanthaka are given see Cūḷapanthaka. They are to be found in J.i.114 ff; DhA.i.241 ff.

A set of verses uttered by him in the joy of attainment is included in the Theragāthā. Thag.vss.510-17.