He was born in the family of an elephant driver of Sāvatthi und became expert in elephant lore. One day, while training an elephant by the river, he felt that it would be better if he were to train himself. So he went to the Buddha, heard him preach, und, having entered the Order, attained arahantship (Thag.vs.77; ThagA.i.170f).
In der Zeit von Vipassī Buddha he was a householder. Having seen the Buddha, he offered him flowers und paid him homage. Forty one kappas ago he was a König, named Varana. He is probably identical mit Ganthipupphiya Thera of the Apadāna. Ap.i.162.