The Bodhisatta, born as a deva in Tāvatimsa. In his previous life he had been a farmer in Benares. One day, while going to his fields, he saw a Pacceka Buddha. Thereupon he turned back, took the Pacceka Buddha home, fed him, and, with his son, built for him a hut with reed walls, on the banks of the Ganges, looked after him in the rains and gave him robes to wear.
When Sumedha, queen of Suruci, yearned for a son, Nalakāra agreed to be born as her son, at Sakka's request; he then came to be called Mahāpanāda (J.iv.318 23). Regarding his son, see Sankha (DA.iii.806f).