[249] When this was said, the Blessed One said to Pañcasikha, son of the gandhabbas: "Pañcasikha, the sound of your strings blends with the sound of your song, and the sound of your song with the sound of your strings; and neither does the sound of your strings overpower the sound of your song, Pañcasikha, nor the sound of your song the sound of your strings. But when, Pañcasikha, did you compose these verses connected with the Buddha, connected with the Dhamma, connected with the Saṅgha, connected with the arahants, and connected with sensual love?"
"On one occasion, venerable sir, the Blessed One was dwelling at Uruvelā, on the bank of the river Nerañjarā, at the foot of the goatherds' banyan tree, newly attained to full awakening. Now at that time, venerable sir, I longed for Bhaddā Suriyavacchasā, daughter of Timbaru, king of the gandhabbas. But that sister, venerable sir, was in love with another: it was Sikhaṇḍi, son of Mātali the charioteer, whom she desired. When, venerable sir, I could not win that sister by any means whatsoever, I then took my lute of yellow beluva-wood and went to the residence of Timbaru, king of the gandhabbas; and having approached, I sounded the lute of yellow beluva-wood and spoke these verses connected with the Buddha, connected with the Dhamma, connected with the Saṅgha, connected with the arahants, and connected with sensual love:
'I pay homage to your father, O Bhaddā Suriyavacchasā —
to Timbaru, through whom you were born,
a lovely one, the begetter of my joy. …
Like a sāla tree not long in blossom
is your father, O lady of fine wisdom;
paying homage, I bow before him
whose offspring is one such as you.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.