Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c35.1510

v2.c35.1510

Migāra was a follower of the Nigaṇṭhas, and, soon after Visākhā’s arrival in his house, he sent for them and told her to minister to them. But Visākhā, repulsed by their nudity, refused to pay them homage. The Nigaṇṭhas urged that she should be sent away, but Migāra bided his time. One day, as Migāra was eating, while Visākhā stood fanning him, a monk was seen standing outside his house. Visākhā stood aside, that Migāra might see him, but as Migāra continued to eat without noticing the monk, she said to the latter, “Pass on, Sir, my father-in-law eats stale fare.” Migāra was angry and threatened to send her away, but, at her request, the matter was referred to her sponsors. They enquired into the several charges brought against her and adjudged her not guilty. Visākhā then gave orders that preparations should be made for her return to her parents. But Migāra begged her forgiveness which she granted, on condition that he would invite to the house the Buddha and his monks. This he did, but, owing to the influence of the Nigaṇṭhas, he left Visākhā to entertain them, and only consented to hear the Buddha’s sermon at the end of the meal from behind a curtain. At the conclusion of this sermon, however, he became a sotāpanna. His gratitude towards Visākhā was boundless; henceforth she was to be considered as his mother and to receive all the honour due to a mother; from this time onwards she was called Migāramātā.⁶ Migāra got made for her everyday use an ornament called ghanamatthaka, at a cost of one hundred thousand.⁷ On the day of the presentation of this ornament, Migāra held for her a special festival in her honour, and she was made to bathe in sixteen pots of perfumed water.⁸