1. Ságata Thera. He was the personal attendant of the Buddha at he time when Sona Kolvisa visited Bimbisára, with overseers of the eighty thousand townships of Bimbisára's kingdom. Ságata was endowed with supernatural power, and the overseers, who went to visit the Buddha at Gijjhakúta, were very impressed by his iddhi, so much so that even while the Buddha was preaching they could not take their eyes off him. The king thereupon asked Ságata to show them a greater marvel, and Ságata, having shown in the open sky wonders of various kinds, fell at the Buddha's feet and declared the Buddha his teacher (Vin.i.179 f).
Later, when the Buddha went to stay in Bhaddavatiká, having heard men warn the Buddha of the proximity of a Nága of great power in the Jatila hermitage at Ambatittha, Ságata went there and lived in the Nága's abode. The Nága showed great resentment, but Ságata overpowered him with his iddhi and then returned to Bhaddavatiká. From there he went with the Buddha to Kosambí, where the lay disciples, hearing of his wondrous feat, paid him great honour. When they asked what they could do for his comfort, he remained silent, but the Chabbaggíyá suggested that they should provide him with white spirits (kápotiká).
The next day, when Ságata went for alms, he was invited to various houses, where the inmates plied him with intoxicating drinks. So deep were his potations that on his way out of the town he fell prostrate at the gateway. The monks carried him, and at the monastery they laid him down with his head at the Buddha's feet, but he turned round so that his feet lay towards the Buddha. The Buddha pointed out his condition to the monks, using it as an example of the evil effects of liquor; and he made this the occasion for the passing of a rule against the use of alcohol. Vin.iv.108f.; the story: is also given as the introduction to the Surápána Játaka (J.i.360 ff.) which, too, was preached on this occasion; cf. AA.i.178f.
It is said (AA.i.179) that on the next day, when Ságata came to himself and realized the enormity of his offence, he sought the Buddha and, having begged his forgiveness, developed insight, attaining arahantship. The Buddha later declared him foremost among those skilled in the contemplation of the heat element (tejodhátukusalánam) (A.i.25).
It is curious that no verses are ascribed to Ságata in the Theragáthá. The Apadána (Ap.i.83f) contains a set of verses said to have been spoken by him. In the time of Padumuttara Buddha he was Sobhita, a brahmin. The Buddha came to his hermitage with his disciples, and Ságata spoke verses in praise of the Buddha, who declared his future destiny. The Commentary adds that he was called Ságata because he was greatly welcome (ságata) to his parents.
2. Ságata. The personal attendant of Dípankara Buddha. J.i.29; Bu.ii.213; BuA.104; Mbv.5.