Only son of Dutthagámaní. He renounced the throne and married Asokamálá, a Candála girl (Mv.xxxiii.1f). In his previous birth he had been a smith, named Tissa, in Mundagangá, and his wife was Nágá (Sumaná). The couple gave a meal with pork to eight arahants, (for their names see MT.606) led by Dhammadinna Thera of Talangatissapabbata. It is said that on the day of birth the whole of Ceylon was filled with paddy, hence his name.
Sáli was very pious, and all the revenues given to him by his father he gave away in charity. He kept the fast days in the Issarasamana-vihára and built the Sálipabbata vihára (MT.606).
He will be the son of Metteyya Buddha in his next birth. MT.xxxii.83. See also Ras.ii.114f.