09 Ven. Bhaddā Kuṇḍalakesā

During Buddha Padumuttara’s time, she aspired to be the quickest to attain Awakening. She was later born as Princess Bhikkhadāyikā, the fourth daughter of King Kikī. In her final life, she was a wealthy man’s daughter in Rājagaha who fell for the notorious robber Sattuka. After she saved him from execution and married him, he tried to murder her for her jewels, but she outwitted him and pushed him off a cliff. Traumatized, she became an ascetic named Kuṇḍalakesā. She became a renowned debater, challenging all comers. At Sāvatthī, she was defeated by a single question from Ven. Sāriputta. She then went to the Buddha, who spoke a single verse, upon hearing which she immediately became an Arahat, fulfilling her aspiration for the quickest insight.