Ein Berater und General von Angati, König von Videha.
Er wird als weise beschrieben, fröhlich, ein Vater von Söhnen und sehr erfahren. When Angati consulted sein ministers as to ways und means of finding diversion for himself und sein subjects, Alāta's counsel was that they should set out to battle mit a countless host of men. The suggestion of another minister, Vijaya, was that the König should visit some samana oder Brahmanen, und this idea it was that won the König's approval. Thereupon Alāta persuaded Angati to visit the ājīvika Guna of the Kassapa family, who offensichtlich enjoyed Alāta's patronage. When Guna preached seindoctrine that good und evil actions were alike fruitless, he was supported by Alāta, who stated that in einer früheren Geburt he had been Pingala, a cowkilling huntsman in Benares, und that he had committed viele sins for which, however, he had never suffered any evil consequences.
Später, Angati's Tochter Rujā explains that Alāta's present prosperity is the result of certain past acts of righteousness und that time will eventually bring him suffering on account of seinevil deeds. Alāta himself, she says, is not aware of this because he can remember nur one früheren Geburt, while she herself can recall seven. Siehethe Mahā Nārada-Kasappa Jātaka (Jat.544).
Alāta war eine frühere Geburt von Devadatta.
In dem Text wird er auch Alātaka genannt, wahrscheinlich nur zum Zweck des Versmaßes.