The Sister Bimbādevī (Rāhulamātā) had suffered from flatulence, and was cured with mango-juice and sugar, which Sāriputta had obtained from the king of Kosala, at Rāhula’s request. The king, having heard of Bimbādevī’s affliction, ordered that she should be continually supplied with mango-syrup. On being told of the incident, the Buddha revealed this story of the past to show that it was not the first time that Sāriputta had obtained mango-syrup for Bimbādevī.

The Story of the Past (atītavatthu) is about the chief queen of a king of Bārāṇasī. Sakka, becoming nervous on account of the austerities of an ascetic, wishes to destroy him, and arouses in the queen a desire for a “Midmost Mango” (Abbhantara-Amba). After prolonged search — during which the ascetic and his companions are driven from the royal park because they are reported to have eaten the mangoes there — a favourite parrot of the palace is commissioned to find the Midmost Mango. He goes to Himavā, and learns from the parrots of the seventh mountain range that the mango grows on a tree which belongs to Vessavaṇa and which is most strictly guarded. He goes stealthily by night to the tree, but is caught by the guardian goblins, who decide to kill him. He tells them that he is delighted to die in the performance of his duty, and thereby wins their respect. Following their counsel, he seeks the assistance of an ascetic, Jotirasa, living in a hut called Kañcanapatti, to whom Vessavaṇa sends a daily offering of four mangoes. The ascetic gives the parrot two mangoes, one for himself and one for the queen. J.ii.392-400.

Ānanda was the parrot and Sāriputta was Jotirasa.