The Bodhisatta was once born as Yuvañjaya, son of Sabbadatta, king of Ramma (Benares). He was the eldest of one thousand sons, and Yuditthila was his younger brother. After he came of age he was on his way early one morning to the park, and saw all around him dew. In the evening, as he returned home, the dew drops were no more to be seen. His charioteer explained that the sun had dried them up. Reflecting on this, the prince realized the impermanence of life and asked his father's leave to renounce the world.
Both his parents tried to dissuade him but they failed, and he and Yudhitthila built a hermitage in the Himálaya, where they became ascetics.
Yudhitthila is identified with Ananda. This story was told in reference to the Buddha's Renunciation, to some monks who marvelled at the Buddha's great sacrifice. J.iv.119ff.; the story of Yuvañjaya (Yudhañjaya) is also given in the Cariyápitaka iii.1; CypA.143ff.