His father was a rich man of Rājagaha and he was present when the Buddha visited Bimbisāra. Impressed by the Buddha’s majesty, Sirivaḍḍha joined the Order and lived in a forest near Vebhāra and Paṇḍava meditating. A great storm arose one day, and the Thera, cooled by the rain, was able to concentrate his mind and win Arahantship (Thag.vs.41, ThagA.i.107 f).

He is probably identical with Kiṅkiṇikapupphiya Thera of the Apadāna (Ap.i.204). In the past he offered a kiṅkiṇika flower to Vipassī Buddha. Seventy-seven world-cycles ago he was a king, named Bhīmaratha.