The elder brother of Cúlapanthaka (q.v.) and grandson of Dhanasetthi of Rájagaha. He went with his grandfather to hear the Buddha preach, won faith, and entered the Order. He became skilled in the Doctrine, and, in due course, received higher ordination and became an arahant, with special proficiency in the four arúpajhánas. Later, he was declared pre eminent among those skilled in the evolution of consciousness (sańńávivattakusalánam) (A.i.24).
His resolve to win such eminence was made in the time of Padumuttara Buddha when he heard a monk similarly honoured by the Buddha. ThagA.i.490f.; AA.i.118f; details about Mahápanthaka are given see Cúlapanthaka. They are to be found in J.i.114ff.; DhA.i.241ff.
A set of verses uttered by him in the joy of attainment is included in the Theragáthá. Thag.vss.510 17.