Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c14.1134

v1.c14.1134

According to the Saṃyutta² account, Godhika lived on the Kālasilā in Isigili-passa. There he made various vain attempts to win arahantship,³ achieving only temporary emancipation of mind, from which he then fell away. Six times this happened and then he decided to commit suicide by cutting his throat. Māra saw this and reported it to the Buddha, but when the Buddha arrived it was too late and Godhika lay “supine on his couch with his shoulders twisted around.” The Buddha, however, declared that Godhika had attained Nibbāna. The Commentary states that, after cutting his throat, Godhika so checked his final agony that he won arahantship.