The Bodhisatta was once born as a parrot, brother to Poṭṭhapāda. They were brought up by a brahmin in Bārāṇasī. When the brahmin went away, he told the birds to watch his wife and report to him any misconduct. However, Poṭṭhapāda, in spite of his brother’s warning, admonished the woman, who, in a rage, while pretending to fondle him, wrung his neck and threw him into the fire. When the brahmin returned, Rādha said he did not wish to share his brother’s fate, and flew away.

Poṭṭhapāda is identified with Ānanda. The story was told in reference to a monk who became a backslider owing to a woman. J.ii.132 ff; cf. the Kāḷabāhu Jātaka.