Once the Bodhisatta was born as a fish in a pond; there was a great drought, the crops withered, and water gave out in tanks and ponds and there was great distress. Seeing this, the Bodhisatta approached Pajjunna, god of rain, and made an Act of Truth, begging for rain. The request succeeded, and heavy rain fell.

The story was told in reference to a great drought in Kosala. Even the pond by the gate of Jetavana was dry, and the Buddha, touched by the universal suffering, resolved to obtain rain. On his way back from his almsround, he sent Ānanda to fetch the robe in which he bathed. As he was putting this on, Sakka’s throne was heated, and he ordered Pajjunna to send rain. The god filled himself with clouds, and then bending his face and mouth, deluged all Kosala with torrents of rain. The Pajjunna of the earlier story is identified with Ānanda. J.i.329-32; cp. Cyp.iii.10.