He belonged to a rich brahmin family of Sávatthi. When on his way to the park one day, at the age of seven, he saw, for the first time, persons afflicted with old age, disease, and death. These filled him with horror, and he went to the monastery, heard the Buddha preach, and, with his parents' consent, entered the Order. He was called "Mánava" because he left the world so young.
In the time of Vipassí Buddha he was a physiognomist, and, having seen the child, declared that he would certainly become a Buddha, and worshipped him. In subsequent lives he became king many times under the names of Sammukháthavika, Pathavídundubhi, Obhása, Sadinacchedana, Agginibbápaka, Vátamma, Gatipacchedana, Ratanapajjala, Padakkamana, Vilokana and Girisára (ThagA.vs.73; ThagA.i.162ff).
He is evidently identical with Sammukháthavika Thera of the Apadána. Ap.i.158f.