The Bodhisatta was born as son of the chaplain of the king of Bārāṇasī and was called Susīma. The king’s son, born on the same day, was called Brahmadatta. Together they grew up, and then studied under the same teacher in Takkasilā. Later Brahmadatta became king and Susīma his chaplain. One day, when Susīma was taking part in a procession with the king, the queen mother saw him and fell desperately in love with him. The king, discovering this, made Susīma king in his place and the queen mother Susīma’s queen. However, Susīma soon tired of royalty, and after establishing Brahmadatta once more on the throne, returned to the Himavā in spite of his wife’s protests. There he became an ascetic.

The story was told in reference to the Buddha’s Renunciation. Ānanda is identified with Brahmadatta and the queen mother with Rāhulamātā. J.iii.391-7.