Son of the Assaka king in Polanagara. He was expelled from the country at the request of his stepmother and lived in the forest. At that time Mahā-Kaccāna, following on the holding of the First Council, was living in the Assaka country. One of Sujāta’s friends, a devaputta in Tāvatiṃsa, appeared before Sujāta in the shape of a deer, and, after leading him to Mahā-Kassapa, disappeared. Sujāta saw the Thera and talked with him. Mahā-Kassapa saw that Sujāta had but five months to live, and, after stirring up his mind, sent him back to his father, urging him to good deeds. When the king heard his story he sent a messenger for Mahā-Kaccāna. Sujāta lived another four months and, after death, was reborn in Tāvatiṃsa. Later he visited Mahā-Kaccāna to show his gratitude and revealed his identity.

The story is known as the Cūḷarathavimāna. Vv.v.13; VvA.259-270.