Sarakáni (Saranáni). A Sákyan. When he died the Buddha declared that he was a sotápanna, bound for enlightenment. But many of the Sákyans spoke scornfully of him, saying that he had failed in the training and had taken to drink. Mahánáma reported this to the Buddha, who said that Sarakáni had, for a long time, taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha, and possessed qualities which secured him from birth in hell among the lowest animals and the peta world. S.v.375f.
1. Sarakáni (Saranáni) Sutta. Mahánáma reports to the Buddha the rumours prevalent among the Sákyans regarding Sarakáni (q.v.). The Buddha says that Sarakáni had long since taken the Three Refuges, and he then goes on to describe various qualities, beginning from those which lead to the destruction of the ásavas to those, such as affection for the Buddha, which prevent men from going to the Downfall. S.v.375f.
2. Sarakáni Sutta. Mahánáma brings to the Buddha's notice that the Sákyans are surprised at the Buddha's statement regarding the attainment of sotápatti by Sarakáni. The Buddha then describes the virtues which make a man an anágámí, a sakadágámí or a sotápanna. The Buddha's doctrine is like a good field, well stubbed, the seeds sown therein capable of sprouting and happily planted, and the sky god supplying a constant rain. S.v.378f.