Patacara was the daughter of a rich man from Savatthi who eloped with a servant. She gave birth to two sons but tragedy struck as her husband died, one son was taken by a hawk, the other drowned, and she learned that her parents and brothers had died in a storm. Mad with grief, Patacara wandered until reaching the Buddha at Jetavana monastery. Upon listening to the Buddha's teaching, Patacara attained stream entry and ordained as a nun. Through diligent practice, she realized impermanence and became an arahant.