Naradatta begins as a poor, bald monk and disciple of the elderly sage Asita. Following Asita's recounting of a parable about a self-sacrificing rabbit that taught the "truth of the world," Asita sends Naradatta on a mission to search for a destined great man. His journey intersects with Siddhartha Gautama's early years and leads him to encounter the slave boy Chapra and the pariah Tatta, who possesses the unique ability to transfer his soul into animals. Naradatta joins them after they are fleeing the destruction of Tatta's village by Kosalan soldiers.

Over time, Naradatta sheds his bald appearance, grows out his hair, and develops a more filled-out physique. His path takes a significant turn when involvement in an incident resulting in the death of a large number of animals leads to his punishment under unclear circumstances.