An eminent lay disciple of the Buddha declared foremost among those who gather a following by means of the four bases of sympathy (catūhi vatthūhi parisam sanganhantānam) (A.i.26). He was the son of the, king of Alavī (hence his name Alavaka), and the Buddha saved him from being eaten by the Yakkha Alavaka. He was given the name of Hatthaka because he was handed to the Buddha by the Yakkha, after the latter's conversion, and by the Buddha to the king's messengers. He was thus "handed" from one to another (hatthato hattham gatattā) (AA.i.212; SNA.i.240).

1. Citta (called Cittagahapati).-A householder of Macchikāsanda, where he was Treasurer. He was later declared by the Buddha to be pre-eminent among laymen who preached the Doctrine (A.i.26). On the day of his birth the whole city was covered knee-deep with flowers of various hues, hence his name.