The sister of Anuruddha Thera. When he visited his family at Kapilavatthu, she refused to see him because she was suffering from a skin eruption. However, Anuruddha sent for her, and when she came, her face covered with a cloth, he advised her to erect an assembly hall for the monks. She consented to do this, sold her jewels, and erected a hall of two stories, the building of which was supervised by Anuruddha. At the dedication ceremony she entertained the Buddha and the monks. At the conclusion of the meal the Buddha sent for her. She was reluctant to go to him owing to her disease, but was persuaded, and he told her the story of her past.

Long ago she had been the chief consort of the king of Bārāṇasī, and being jealous of a dancing girl whom the king loved, she contrived to get powdered scabs on the girl’s body, clothes and bed. The girl developed boils and her skin was ruined.

At the conclusion of the Buddha’s discourse, Rohiṇī’s disease vanished and her body took on a golden colour, while she herself was established in the First Fruit of the Path. After death, Rohiṇī was born in Tāvatiṃsa, at the meeting point of the boundaries of four deities. Because of her beauty, each deity claimed her as his, and they referred their quarrel to Sakka. Sakka, too, became enamored of her, and when he confessed his desire, they agreed to let him take her, and she became his special favourite. DhA.iii.295 ff.