Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c12.801

v1.c12.801

Kapotakandara.—A grotto, probably near Rājagaha, where, later, a vihāra, called the Kapotakandara-vihāra, was built. The grotto was at one time the residence of a large number of pigeons (kapotā), hence the name.¹ On one occasion Sāriputta, having recently shaved his head, was seated there wrapt in samādhi, and a yakkha, passing overhead with his friend to an assembly of yakkhas, yielded, despite the warning of his friend, to the temptation to give a knock on the monk’s shining head. The yakkha immediately fell down and was swallowed up in the fires of hell. Sāriputta had but a slight headache after the blow, which was, it is said, heavy enough to crush an elephant.²