The Bodhisatta born as king of the geese (haṃsa). He lived in Cittakūṭa, at the head of ninety-thousand geese. One day he was caught in a snare on lake Khemā, set by the orders of King Bahuputtaka. Dhataraṭṭha’s friend, Sumukha, refused to leave him while he was caught. The two friends melted the heart of the hunter when he came to take Dhataraṭṭha, and later they were brought before the king. Dhataraṭṭha taught the Dhamma to the king and to his queen, Khemā, who longed to hear a goose teach (J.iv.425 ff; for details see the Haṃsa Jātaka). Dhataraṭṭha is often referred to as a king surrounded by a splendid following, e.g., DA.i.40; MA.ii.576; UdA.57, 412; PvA.171.