Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c9.325

v1.c9.325

8. **Uttara.**—A brahmin youth. When **Erakapatta**, king of the **Nāgas**, offered his daughter’s hand to anyone who could answer his questions—hoping thereby to hear of a Buddha’s appearance in the world—Uttara was among those who aspired to win her. The Buddha, wishing for the welfare of many beings, met Uttara on his way to the Nāga court and taught him the proper answers to the questions. At the end of the lesson, Uttara became a **Sotāpanna**. When he repeated the answers before the Nāga maiden, Erakapatta was greatly delighted and accompanied him to the Buddha, who preached to him and to the assembled multitude.¹ 9. **Uttara.**—A pupil of **Brahmāyu.** He was sent by his teacher from **Mithilā** to **Videha**, to find out if the Buddha bore the marks of the Superman. Having made sure of the presence of all the thirty-two marks on the Buddha’s person, he dogged the Buddha’s footsteps for seven months, in order to observe his carriage in his every posture. At the end of that period, he returned to Brahmāyu and reported what he had seen.¹ Buddhaghosa² says that Uttara became known as **Buddhavī-mamsaka-mānava** on account of his close watch over the Buddha.