The Apadāna (i.91 f) contains the story of a thera named Upāli, who is to be distinguished from the eminent disciple of that name, though the Apadāna verses obviously point to a confusion of the legends of the two. The Apadāna Commentary distinguishes this monk as “Bhāgineyya Upāli,” and states that he was a nephew of the Venerable Upāli. He was born in Kapilavatthu and was ordained by his uncle, who later became an Arahant.

Bhāgineyya Upāli had been a householder in the time of Padumuttara. Later he left the world and became an ascetic in Himavā. There he met the Buddha and the monks, and uttered their praises in song. As a result he was eighteen times king of the devas and twenty-five times king of men.