The Bodhisatta, born as King of Bārāṇasī and son of the Magadha King of Rājagaha. During the time of Sikhī Buddha he held a great almsgiving for the Buddha and his monks; he presented to the Order a fully caparisoned elephant which he redeemed by giving suitable gifts to the height of an elephant (J.i.41; Bu.xxi.9). He had as friend the chaplain’s son, Sonaka. They both studied in Takkasilā and at the conclusion of their studies they travelled about in search of experience. In the course of their travels Arindama was elected to succeed the King of Bārāṇasī who had died childless, and Sonaka became a Pacceka Buddha. Forty years later Arindama wished to see Sonaka, but no one could tell him his whereabouts in spite of the offer of a large reward. Ten years later Sonaka saw the king through the good offices of a lad of seven, who belonged to the harem and had learnt a song composed by the king expressing his desire to meet Sonaka. At the meeting, however, the king failed to recognise him. Sonaka, not revealing his identity, spoke to the king about the joys of renunciation, and disappeared through the air. The king, moved by his words, decided to give up the throne and to follow the ascetic life. He appointed his eldest son Dīghāvu king in his stead, handed over to him all his possessions, and developing supernatural faculties was born in the Brahma world (J.v.247-61).

Arindama is mentioned together with Mahājanaka as an example of a king who renounced a mighty kingdom to lead a hermit’s life (J.iii.489). The story also appears in the Mahāvastu (iii.449 ff), but the details given differ from those of the Jātaka version. There Arindama is spoken of as the King of Mithilā.

In both accounts Dīghāvu’s mother, the king’s chief queen, is spoken of as having died before the king’s renunciation.

According to the Buddhavaṃsa Commentary (BuA.203), Arindama’s capital was Paribhuttanagara (v.l. Arindamaka.)