1. Maháli
A Licchavi chief, mentioned as having visited the Buddha at the Kútágárasálá to ask if he had seen Sakka (S.i.230; DhA.i.263ff. add that the Buddha here related to him the story of Magha) and also to beg information as to the teachings of Púrana Kassapa (S.iii.68). This conversation resulted from Maháli having heard the Sakkapańha Sutta. (See Maháli Sutta.)
Maháli was educated at Takkasilá. After his return to Vesáli, he devoted himself to the education of the young Licchavi men, but, through overexertion, lost his sight. He continued to instruct them, however, and was given a house by the gate, which led from Sávatthi into Vesáli. The revenue from this gate, worth one hundred thousand, was given to him (DhA.i.338). When Bandhula came to Vesáli, to satisfy the pregnancy longings of his wife Malliká, Maháli, hearing the rumble of his chariot, instantly recognised it. He warned the Licchavis not to interfere with Bandhula, and, finding that they insisted on pursuing him, urged them to turn back when they saw Bandhula's chariot sink up to the nave, or at least when they heard a, sound like the crash of a thunderbolt, or when they saw a hole in the yokes of the chariot. But they paid no heed to his warnings and were killed (DhA.i.350f.; J.iv.148f).
When the Licchavis decided to invite the Buddha to Vesáli, to rid the city of its plagues, Maháli it was who went with the son of the purohita to Veluvana to intercede with Bimbisára, that he might persuade the Buddha to come. Maháli was a favourite of Bimbisára and a member of his retinue. He had attained sotápatti at the same time as the king (DhA.iii.438).
This Maháli is perhaps identical with the Maháli mentioned in the Apadána (Ap.ii.494, vs.28) as the father of Sívalí. His wife was Suppavásá.
2. Maháli. See Otthaddha.
3. Maháli. A Sákiyan prince, one of seven grandsons of Amitodana. They were brothers of Bhaddakaccáná, wife of Panduvásadeva, and came to Ceylon, where they settled. Dpv.x.6. See Mhv.ix.6, 9.