An arahant. He belonged to a caravan leader's family of Sávatthi, and was so called because he was born through the favour of Vessavana. When he came of age he took a caravan of five hundred carts to Rájagaha. Then, having squandered all his money, he went to Veluvana, and, after hearing the Buddha preach, entered the Order and lived in a charnel field. While wandering about, he saw the mangled body of a murdered courtesan and only with a great effort saved himself from distraction of mind. Later, he induced jhána and won arahantship.
Fourteen kappas ago he had seen a Pacceka Buddha at the foot of a tree and had given him an ambátaka (mango?) fruit (Thag. vss. 315-19; ThagA.i.402f).
He is probably identical with Ambátaka Thera. Ap.i.394.