The son of a wealthy brahmin died at the age of sixteen and was reborn among the devas. From the time of his son’s death, the brahmin would go to the cemetery and walk round the heap of ashes, moaning piteously. The deva visited him and admonished him, as in the story of Mattakundali. The brahmin followed his advice and gave up his grief.
The story was told in reference to a rich landowner of Sāvatthi, a devout follower of the Buddha, who lost his son. The Buddha, knowing of his great grief, visited him in the company of Ananda and preached to him. At the conclusion of the sermon, the landowner became a sotāpanna. J.iv.59ff.