The story tells about the Bodhisattva's perfection of effort. On one occasion, while dwelling at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha mentioned about one of his previous existences, and delivered this sermon. Bodhisatta was born as Mahasanok or Prince Mahajanaka, the son of King Mithila of india. He was born after his father, the king who was killed by his brother. The queen found a harbor at a Brahmin’s house and gave birth to her son. When the prince was 16 years old, he wanted to see Mithila, his father’s kingdom. Thus, he left his mother behind taking half of her jewels with him and sailed in the direction of Suvannabhumi. However, he got shipwrecked and the Goddess of the sea, Manimekkhala, rescued him. She took him to a mango-grove of Mithila. At the time, Princess Sivali was in charge of the kingdom. The throne would go to the man who married Sivali. Later, Mahajanaka passed the tests and was allowed to marry Sivali. They lived happily together.