A brahmin employed as superintendent of works by the Licchavis of Vesálí. One morning early he saw Pingiyání evidently returning from somewhere, and on inquiry learnt that he had been to see the Buddha. Káranapálí asked him what he thought of the Buddha, and Pingiyání sang his praises, illustrating his meaning with various figures of speech. Convinced by Pingiyání's earnestness, Káranapálí knelt on the ground and expressed his homage to the Buddha (A.iii.236ff).
The Commentary (AA.ii.636) says that the man's name was Pála (or Pálí), and he was called Káranapálí because he supervised the business of various chieftains' families.