Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c33.105

v2.c33.105

In a previous birth, before the appearance of Padumuttara Buddha, Raṭṭhapāla was one of two rich householders of Haṃsavati, both of whom spent their wealth in good deeds. They once waited on two companies of ascetics from Himavā; the ascetics left, but their leaders remained, and the two householders looked after them till they died. After death, one of them (Raṭṭhapāla) was reborn as Sakka, while the other was born as the Nāga-king Pālita (v.l. Paṭhavindhara), who, in this Buddha-age, became Rāhula. At Sakka’s request, Pālita gave alms to Padumuttara and wished to be like the Buddha’s son, Uparevata. Sakka himself entertained the Buddha and his monks for seven days and wished to resemble the monk Raṭṭhapāla, whom Padumuttara Buddha had declared to be foremost among those who had joined the Order through faith. Padumuttara declared that the wish of both would be fulfilled in the time of Gotama Buddha.⁸