Panthaka means “born by a road side.” His younger brother, Budapanthaka, was “born by a country road”. Both of them became ordained monks and attained Arhatship in Buddha’s time.  Panthaka, the Arhat holding a sutra, vowed to stay in this world to ensure the transmission of the correct Dharma. Panthaka was one of the Buddha’s most prominent disciples. He was known for being skilled in assisting students that had difficulties and doubts about the Buddha Dharma.