Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c26.246

v2.c26.246

The Majjhima Commentary⁷ states that Nandaka was once the leader of a guild of five hundred slaves of Benares and that Pajāpatī Gotamī was his wife. One day, while fetching water, his wife noticed five hundred Pacceka Buddhas enter the city, and, on her return, she witnessed their departure. On enquiry, she learnt that they had applied to a merchant for lodgings for the rainy season, but that he had been unable to help. She undertook the care of them and, having enlisted the support of all her companions and their husbands, she and her husband ministered to the Pacceka Buddhas. As a result, they were born together as man and wife for many births, as were their helpers. In one birth Nandaka was king, and all the women became his wives. In this birth, the women were born as Pajāpatī’s companions, and they left the world in her company. To them was the Nandakovāda Sutta preached.