He belonged to a commoner's family in Kosala, and when, for some reason, his clan fell into disfavour with the king, Mudita ran away into the forest and came across the dwelling of an arahant. The latter, noting Mudita's terror, comforted and ordained him at his request. Mudita practiced insight, and refused to leave his cell till he had attained arahantship.
In the time of Vipassí Buddha he was a householder and gave the Buddha a bed (Thag.311 14; ThagA.i.401f). He is identified with Mañcadáyaka (wrongly called Sajjhadáyaka) of the Apadána. Ap.i.284f.