General of Piṅgala, king of Suraṭṭha, who reigned some two hundred years after the Buddha’s death. Nandaka was a Nihilist, and, after death, was born as a vemānika-peta in the Viñjha forest. His daughter, Uttarā, was a pious woman, and gave alms in his name to an Arahant monk. Thereupon Nandaka attained celestial happiness. Wishing to liberate Piṅgala from his Nihilist views, Nandaka waited for him on his return from a conference with Dhammāsoka, and, having led the king to his abode, ministered to him. Then, revealing his identity, Nandaka advised the king to follow the Buddha’s teaching. Pv.iv.3; PvA.244 ff.