Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c27.1370

v2.c27.1370

Pāṭikaputta.—A naked ascetic of Vesālī who went about claiming to have greater mystic powers than the Buddha, and thereby much impressed Sunakkhatta. Pāṭikaputta had prophesied that, after death, the Licchavi general Ajita would be born in Mahā Niraya, but Ajita was born in Tāvatiṃsa and accused Pāṭikaputta of being a liar. Later, the Buddha visited the hermitage of Pāṭikaputta, with a large following, in order to refute his claims, but Pāṭikaputta avoided him and went to the Tindukhānuparibbājakārāma. A message was sent to him asking him to come as the Buddha was at his hermitage, but Pāṭikaputta was unable to arise from his seat. Thereupon, a Licchavi minister, and, after him, Jāliya Dārupattikantevāsī, went to fetch him, but on discovering that he could not rise, they reviled him for his boastfulness.¹