Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names • G.P. Malalasekera
Page last updated on 8 October, 2020
Aravāḷa
v.l. Āravāḷa.– A Nāga king, who lived in the Aravāḷadaha in Kasmīra-Gandhāra. He had been in the habit of destroying the crops of the people by causing hail-storms. When Majjhantika Thera was sent by Moggaliputtatissa’s Council to convert Kasmīra-Gandhāra, the thera went to Aravāḷadaha and standing in the air above it showed himself to the Nāgā. Hearing of this the Nāga king came out and tried to frighten the elder with various terrors. When all his attempts had failed he acknowledged defeat and the thera taught him. He and his 84,000 followers were established in the Refuges and the Five Precepts. Sp.i.65; Mhv.xii.9‑20.