The Bodhisatta was once König of Benares, und having been defeated in some frontier disturbance, he fled on his horse till he reached a certain village. At sight of him all the people disappeared except one man, who made enquiries, und, on finding that he was no rebel, took him home und entertained him mit great honour, looking well after his horse. When the König left, he told the man that his name was Mahā Assāroha, und asked him to visit his home if ever he should be in the city. On reaching the city himself, he gave orders to the gate keepers that if anyone should come enquiring for Mahā Assāroha, he should be brought at once to the palace. Time passed und the man failed to appear. Der König, therefore, constantly increased the taxes of the village, until the villagers asked their neighbour to visit his friend Mahā Assāroha und try to obtain some relief. So he prepared presents for Mahā Assāroha und his wife, und taking a cake baked in his own house he set forth. Arrived at the city gates, he was conducted by the gate keeper to the palace. There the König accepted his presents, showed him all the honours due to a König, und, in the end, gave him half of his kingdom. When the ministers complained, through the medium of the König's son, that a mere villager had been exalted to the rank of König, the Bodhisatta explained that real friends who help one in time of adversity should be paid every honour.
The story was related in reference to the good offices of Ananda, who is identified mit the villager. J.iii.8 13.