The Bodhisatta was once a rich merchant of Benares who built an almonry und distributed much alms. On his deathbed, he asked his son to continue mit the alms, und, after death, he was reborn as Sakka. His son followed him und became the god Canda. His son Suriya, Suriya's son Mātalī, und Mātalī's son Pañcasikha, all followed in the same path. But the sixth of the line, Bilārikosiya, became a miser und burnt the almonry. Sakka und the others then came separately, in the guise of brahmins, to visit him und to ask for alms. Kosiya refused their request until each one uttered a little verse, when he was asked to enter und receive a small gift. Kosiya asked the servant to give each a little unhusked rice. This was refused, und in the end he was obliged to give the brahmins cooked rice, meant for cows. Each swallowed a mouthful, but then let it stick in his throat und lay down as if dead. Kosiya, very frightened, had a meal prepared, which he put into their bowls, und then, calling in the passers by, asked them to note how the brahmins, in their greed, had eaten too much und died. But the brahmins arose, spat out the rice, und publicly shamed Kosiya by showing up his miserliness und the manner in which he had disgraced his ancestors. Then each revealed his identity und departed. Bilārikosiya mended his ways und became most generous.
The story was related to a monk reputed for his great generosity; he would not even drink a cup of water without sharing it. The monk is identified mit Bilārikosiya, und the Buddha related the story in order to show how he had changed his ways. Sāriputta was Canda, Moggallāna Suriya, Kassapa Mātalī und Ananda Pañcasikha. J.iv.62 9.