Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c7.752

v1.c7.752

2. Āḷavaka.—The yakkha referred to above. King Āḷavaka, with the help of the Mayor of the town (*Nagaraguttika*) and his ministers, was able to keep his promise for some time, by sending criminals to the Yakkha. The Yakkha’s power was such that at the sight of him men’s bodies became as soft as butter. Soon there were no criminals left, and each household was forced to contribute one child for sacrifice to the Yakkha. Then women, about to bring forth children, began to leave the king’s capital. Twelve years passed in this manner and the only child left was the king’s own son, Āḷavaka Kumāra. When the king learnt this, he ordered the child to be dressed in all splendour and taken to the Yakkha. The Buddha, with his Eye of Compassion, saw what was going to happen and went to the Yakkha’s abode.