A very learned brahmin of Khánumata, which village had been given to him by King Bimbisára as a brahmadeyya. The Buddha arrived at Khánumata when Kútadanta was making preparations for a great sacrifice and, wishing this sacrifice to be successful, he consulted the Buddha on the holding of sacrifices. The Buddha preached to him the Kútadanta Sutta. At the end of the discourse he became a Sotápanna (D.i.127ff).
The conversion of Kútadanta is considered one of the great spiritual victories won by the Buddha (E.g., J.vi.329). As a disputant, Kútadanta is classed with Ambatthaka, Sonadanda and Saccaka. E.g., MA.ii.697.