The Bodhisatta was once chaplain to the king of Bārāṇasī. One day, the king heard a fruiterer’s daughter, Sujātā, hawking sweets, and falling in love with her voice he sent for her and made her his queen. Some time later she saw the king eating sweets from a golden dish and asked him what those egg-shaped fruits were. The king was very angry; but the Bodhisatta interceded on her behalf and she was pardoned.

The story was told in reference to a quarrel between Mallikā and Pasenadi, which became famous under the name of Sirivivāda or Sayanakalaha. Pasenadi ignored Mallikā completely, and the Buddha, knowing this, went to the palace with five hundred monks. The king invited them to a meal, and as the food was being served, the Buddha covered his bowl and asked for Mallikā. She was sent for, and the Buddha made peace between them. Mallikā is identified with Sujātā and Pasenadi with the king of Bārāṇasī. J.iii.20-22.