Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.3475

v2.c31.3475

5. Moggallāna.—Eldest son of Ambasāmaṇera-Silākāla. He was made Ādipāda and put in charge of the Eastern Province. He had two brothers, Dāṭhāpabhuti and Upatissa. On the death of Silākāla the former seized the throne and murdered Upatissa. Moggallāna marched against him with an army and challenged him to single combat. The challenge was accepted, and the brothers fought, each on an elephant. Dāṭhāpabhuti was defeated and killed himself, and Moggallāna became king as Moggallāna II., also known as Culla-Moggallāna. He was a great poet and a very good man. He held recitals of the Piṭakas and the Commentaries in various parts of the Island and encouraged the study of the Dhamma. He once composed a poem in praise of the Dhamma and recited it while seated on the back of his elephant.