Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c7.754

v1.c7.754

When Āḷavaka heard from Gadrabha and from Sātāgira and Hemavata of the Buddha’s visit, he was greatly incensed and uttering aloud his name, he hurried to his abode. There with all the various supernatural powers he could command he tried to dislodge the Buddha from his seat, but without success, even his special weapon, the Dussāvudha being of no avail against the Buddha. Then, approaching the Buddha, Āḷavaka asked him to leave his house, which the Buddha did. He then summoned the Buddha back and he came. Three times this happened and three times the Buddha obeyed, judging compliance to the best way of softening his wrath, but the fourth time the Buddha refused to return. Thereupon Āḷavaka expressed his desire to ask questions of the Buddha, hoping thereby to fatigue him. The Buddha agreed, and when he had answered all the questions to Āḷavaka’s satisfaction, the latter became a Sotāpanna.¹