Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.2030

v2.c31.2030

1. Mahāli.—A Licchavi chief, mentioned as having visited the Buddha at the Kūṭāgārasālā to ask if he had seen Sakka¹ and also to beg information as to the teachings of Pūraṇa Kassapa.² (See Mahāli Sutta.) Mahāli was educated at Takkasilā. After his return to Vesāli, he devoted himself to the education of the young Licchavi men, but, through over-exertion, lost his sight. He continued to instruct them, however, and was given a house by the gate which led from Sāvatthi into Vesāli. The revenue from this gate, worth one hundred thousand, was given to him.³ When Bandhula came to Vesāli, to satisfy the pregnancy-longings of his wife Mallikā, Mahāli, hearing the rumble of his chariot, instantly recognised it. He warned the Licchavis not to interfere with Bandhula, and, finding that they insisted on pursuing him, urged them to turn back when they saw Bandhula’s chariot sink up to the nave, or at least when they heard a sound like the crash of a thunderbolt, or when they saw a hole in the yokes of the chariot. But they paid no heed to his warnings and were killed.⁴