An eminent lay disciple, declared by the Buddha foremost among his followers in unwavering loyalty (agggam aveccappasannánam) (A.i.26; cf.iii.451). He resolved to acquire this eminence during his birth in the time of Padumuttara Buddha. He was born, in this Buddha age, in a banker's family in Sávatthi and became a follower of the heretics. One day the Buddha, seeing Súra's fitness for conversion, went to his door for alms. Out of respect for the Buddha, Súra invited him in, and, giving him a comfortable seat, entertained him to a meal. At the end of the meal, when the Buddha returned thanks, Súra became a sotápanna. Some time after the Buddha had left, Mára, disguised as the Buddha, visited Súra and, in reply to Súra's questioning, said that he had returned to contradict a wrong statement which he had made earlier. He had said that all the sankháras were impermanent, etc., but, on further reflection, he had come to the conclusion that only some sankháras were of that nature. Súra recognized Mára and drove him away. AA.i.215; cf. DA.iii.864.