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He belonged to a family of Malla chieftains and was
educated at Takkasilā, where he attained great proficiency. Later, while
journeying in the company of Sabhiya, he came to
Sāvatthi, where he was present
at the discussion between Sabhiya and the Buddha. It was his purpose to try and
discover flaws in the Buddha's argument. The Buddha knew what was in his mind,
and at the end of the Sabhiya Sutta admonished him in five verses (Thag.360 4). Yasadatta was greatly moved and entered the Order, winning arahantship in due
course.
In the time of Padumuttara Buddha, he had been a very
learned brahmin, living as an ascetic in the forest. One day he saw the Buddha,
and, with clasped hands, praised his virtues (Thag.i.427f).
He is evidently
identical with Ñānathavika of the Apadāna. (Ap.ii.392f)

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