One of Dutthagámani's chief warriors. He was the son of Mahánága of Nitthulavitthika and owed his name to his dwarfish stature. He pulled up imbara-trees from a forest clearing, thus demonstrating his enormous strength. Kákavannatissa, hearing of this, sent for him to the court (Mhv.xxiii.49ff; the Rasaváhini ii.28, says he subdued a yakkha named Jayasena). He took a prominent part in the attack on Vijitapura, using a coconut-palm as weapon (Mhv.xxv.27, 32, 44f).
It is said (MT.452) that in the time of Kassapa Buddha he gave daily milk rice to the monks.
See also Ras.ii.87f, which says that he was so called because he was short, but that according to the Uttara-vihára monks he was given the name because, when he went hunting, he killed animals by dashing them on kotthayimbara-trees. Once when he was holding a feast in his house, after defeating the Damilas, a Yakkha, named Jayasena of Aritthapabbata, happened to pass by, and, entering the house, fell in love with G.'s wife. G. challenged him to a fight and defeated him. He celebrated the victory for seven days and went to the palace drunk. Being refused admission, he swam across to Kávírapattana, and, having gone as far as the Himálaya in search of holy monks, was about to kill himself in despair when an arahant Thera appeared before him and ordained him. He later attained arahantship.