Once upon a time in the city of Indapattana, in kingdom of the Kurus, a king was reigning named Dhananjaya, of the race of Yudhitthila. The Bodhisatta was born in the house of his family priest, when he grew up, he learned all the arts at Takkasila, he returned to Indapattana, and at his father’s death he became family priest to the king and his counselor in things temporal and spiritual. His name was called Vidhurapandita.

King Dhananjaya disregarded his old soldiers and showed favour to new-comers. He went to fight in a disturbed frontier province: but neither his old warriors nor the new-comers would fight, each thinking the other party would see to the matter. The king was defeated. On his return to Indapattana he reflected that his defeat was due to the favour he had shown to new-comers. One day he thought,” Am I the only king who has ever been defeated through favour shown to new-comers, or have others had the same fate before? I will ask Vidhurapandita.” So he put the question to Vishurapanduta when he came to the king’s levee.