The seventh book of the Khuddakanikāya.

It consists of stories of persons born in the realm of hungry ghosts (peta) owing to various misdeeds.

Dhammapāla wrote on it a Commentary, called the Petavatthu-vaṇṇanā, or Petavatthu Aṭṭhakathā, and forming a part of the Vimalavīlāsiṇī (GV.60).

Mahinda taught the Petavatthu to Anulā and her companions on the day of his entry into Anurādhapura. Mhv.xiv.58.