When Assagutta summoned the heads of the Order to a conference regarding the heresy of Milinda, Rohaṇa was lost in meditation, and a messenger had to be sent to fetch him. As punishment for this, he was charged with the task of persuading Nāgasena to join the Order. To achieve this purpose, Rohaṇa had to visit the house of Nāgasena’s father, Soṇuttara, during seven years and ten months, without ever receiving even a kind word, until, at last, one day Soṇuttara was pleased with his kindness and courtesy and gave him food daily at the house. When Nāgasena grew up and learnt the Vedas, Rohaṇa engaged him in discussion, as a result of which Nāgasena joined the Order under Rohaṇa, who, as his first preceptor, taught him the Abhidhamma. One day, Nāgasena thought lightly of his teacher, and Rohaṇa, reading his thoughts, chided him. Nāgasena begged his forgiveness, but Rohaṇa said he would forgive him only if he succeeded in refuting Milinda’s heretical views. Mil. 7 ff.