Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c14.199

v1.c14.199

2. **Gandha.**—A seṭṭhi of Benares. On realising that his ancestors had died leaving immense wealth, which they had failed to enjoy, he started to spend large sums of money on luxuries, and one full-moon day he decorated the city and invited the people to watch him taking a meal. Among the assembled multitude was a villager, who felt that he would die unless he could obtain a morsel of Gandha’s rice. When this was told to Gandha he suggested that the man should work for him for three years, taking in payment a bowl of his rice. The villager agreed and henceforth became known as **Bhattabhatika**. At the end of the three years Gandha kept his promise and gave orders that Bhattabhatika should enjoy all his master’s own splendours for one day, and all the members of his household, except his wife **Cintāmaṇi**, to wait on him. When Bhattabhatika sat down to eat, a Pacceka Buddha appeared before him; Bhattabhatika gave his food to the Pacceka Buddha who, in sight of all those that had gathered to watch Bhattabhatika’s splendour, went through the air to **Gandhamādana**. When Gandha heard of what had happened, he gave one-half of all his possessions to Bhattabhatika in return for a share of the merit he had gained.¹