Dhanańjaya Koravya, king of Indapatta, asks a question of his chaplain Sucírata on dhammayága (the Service of Truth). Sucírata confesses ignorance, and declares that none but Vidhura, chaplain of the king of Benares, could find the answer. At once the king sends him with an escort and a present and a tablet of gold on which the answer may be written. Sucírata visits other sages on the way, and finally Vidhura, who had been his school mate. When the question is asked, Vidhura refers it to his son Bhadrakára, who, however, is busy with an intrigue with a woman and cannot give attention to the matter. He sends Sucírata to his younger brother, Sańjaya, but he, too, is occupied, and sends him on to his brother Sambhava (the Bodhisatta), a boy of seven. Sucírata finds him playing in the street, but when he is asked the question, he answers it with all the fluent mastery of a Buddha. All Benares, including the king, hears the answer and stays to listen. Sambhava is paid great honour and receives many presents. Sucírata notes the answer on the golden tablet and brings it to Dhańanjaya.
The story is related in reference to the Buddha's great wisdom. Dhanańjaya is identified with Ananda, Sucírata with Anuruddha, Vidhura with Kassapa, Bhadrakára with Moggallána and Sańjaya with Sariputta. J.v.57 67.