These texts credit him with extensive conquests that expanded the Empire far beyond the Magadha region.

The different Puranas give the length of his reign as 27 or 88 years, and state that his eight sons ruled in succession after him.

According to the Puranas, Mahapadma or Mahapadma-pati (literally, "lord of the great lotus") was the first Nanda king.

[1][2] Puranas describe him as ekarat (sole sovereign) and sarva-kshatrantaka (destroyer of all the Kshatriyas).

[2][3] The Kshastriyas (warriors and rulers) said to have been exterminated by Mahapadma include Maithalas, Kasheyas, Ikshvakus, Panchalas, Shurasenas, Kurus, Haihayas, Vitihotras, Kalingas, and Ashmakas.