At one time King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha was defeated in battle by the Licchavīs. The king then rallied his army and beat the Licchavīs. People were delighted and the word spread that the Licchavīs had been defeated by the king. But Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to the monks, “The king was defeated by the Licchavīs.” The monks complained and criticized him, “How can Venerable Moggallāna talk like this when people are delighted and the word is spreading that the Licchavīs have been defeated by the king? He’s claiming a superhuman ability!” They told the Buddha. “Monks, first the king was defeated by the Licchavīs, but then he rallied his army and beat them. Moggallāna spoke truthfully. There’s no offense for Moggallāna.”

Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to the monks, “After attaining an unshakable stillness on the banks of the river Sappinikā, I heard the sound of elephants plunging in and emerging from the water, and trumpeting too.” The monks complained and criticized him, “How can Venerable Mahāmoggallāna talk like this? He’s claiming a superhuman ability!” They told the Buddha. “Monks, there is such a stillness, but it’s not wholly purified. Moggallāna spoke truthfully. There’s no offense for Moggallāna.”