17. Ven. Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa

100,000 aeons ago under Buddha Padumuttara, a wealthy householder observed a monk declared foremost in clear and pleasant speech. Inspired, he offered grand alms for seven days and aspired to achieve the same distinction under a future Buddha, receiving a prophecy of fulfillment. In his final existence, he was born into a wealthy family in Avantī and named Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa. Becoming a lay follower of Venerable Mahākaccāna, he waited three years for full ordination due to the scarcity of monks in Avantī. Sent to pay respects to Buddha Gotama in Sāvatthī, Soṇa recited the sixteen octets of the Aṭṭhakavagga with exceptional skill and clarity. Delighted, the Buddha declared him foremost in sweet, melodious recitation (kalyāṇa-vāk-karaṇa).