Sonu was a highly accomplished disciple of the Buddha. He was born in a family of untouchables whose job was of sweeping around the temple area.^[1] According to Thanissaro Bhikkhu's translation of the Theragāthā account,^[2] Sunīta laments:

"People found me disgusting,

despised me, disparaged me.

Lowering my heart,

I showed reverence to many."

Sunīta continues, describing his meeting with the Buddha and ordination:

The compassionate Teacher,

sympathetic to all the world, said:

"Come monk."

That was my formal Acceptance.

Sunīta practiced arduously and eventually became an Arhant. His status was acknowledged by the gods Brahmā and Śakra:

Then, as night was ending

& the sun returning,

Indra & Brahmā came to pay homage to me,

hands palm-to-palm at their hearts:

"Homage to you,

O thoroughbred of men,

Homage to you,

O man supreme,

whose effluents are ended.

You, dear sir,

are worthy of offerings."