A brahmin, friend of Vaṅganta, father of Sāriputta. He was poor, and, out of compassion for him, Sāriputta came to his house for alms. Twice Mahāsena hid himself, having nothing to give, but, one day, receiving a bowl of rice porridge and a small piece of cloth, he thought of Sāriputta. The elder had just risen from a trance, and, becoming aware of Mahāsena’s desire, he visited him, and was given the porridge and the piece of cloth with a prayer from Mahāsena, “May I realise the Truth you have seen.” After death, Mahāsena was born as the novice and was called Vanavāsī Tissa. DhA.ii.84.