Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c7.756

v1.c7.756

At dawn of day, King Āḷavaka’s men brought the young prince, Āḷavaka-Kumāra to the Yakkha, as sacrifice. Hearing the Yakkha’s shouts of joy at the close of the Buddha’s sermon, they greatly marvelled. When they announced to Āḷavaka that they had brought their offering, and handed him the child, he was much ashamed because of the Buddha’s presence. Āḷavaka gave the child to the Buddha, who blessed him and gave him back to the king’s messengers. The boy, having passed from the Yakkha’s hands to those of the Buddha, and from there to the king’s men, thereafter became known as Hatthaka Āḷavaka.²