Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c6.2504

v1.c6.2504

Asked by the Buddha to what family he belonged, Ambaṭṭha replied that he came of the **Kaṇhāyana-gotta**; thereupon the Buddha traced the family back to its ancestor, who had been the offspring of a slave girl of **Okkāka**, named **Disā**. The child had been able to talk as soon as he was born and, because of this devilish trait, had been called **Kaṇha** (devil), hence the family name.³ Ambaṭṭha makes no remonstrance against this genealogy and, under pressure, accepts it as true. This gives the Buddha an opportunity of preaching on the futility of feeling vanity regarding one's caste and on the worth of morality and conduct.³