masculine · meṇḍaka 1 · meṇḍaka 2
a ram; sheep
Meṇḍaka (adjective) [from meṇḍa] 1. made of ram(s) horn, said of a (very strong) bow Ja II 88 (°dhanu); V 128 (°singadhanu). 2. belonging to a ram, in meṇḍaka-pañha "question about the ram" Miln 90 alluding to the story of a ram in the Ummagga-jātaka (Ja VI 353-55), which is told in form of a question, so difficult and puzzling that nobody "from hell to heaven" (Ja VI 354) can answer it except the Bodhisatta. Cf. Trenckner's remark Miln 422.
<b> <c c="#a00149">Meṇḍaka</c> </b> <br>A very rich householder of Bhaddiyanagara in Aṅga. It is said <c c="#3b6bd3">Vin.i.240f.</c> that when he went to his granaries after his ceremonial bath, as he stood at the door, showers of grain would fall from heaven and fill the stores.<br>When the Buddha left Bhaddiya for Aṅguttarāpa, Meṇḍaka gave orders to his servants and followed the Buddha with abundant provisions of all sorts, entertaining the Buddha and his monks with luxurious food and fresh milk. At the end of the meal, Meṇḍaka provided the monks with ghee and butter for their journey. At first the monks were unwilling to accept the gifts, but the Buddha, at Meṇḍaka’s request, allowed them to do so. <c c="#3b6bd3">Vin.i.243ff.</c> <br> <br> </deftext>
(masc, masc) ram, sheep
(masc, masc) name of a lay disciple [lit.] sheep