[73] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Nāḷandā, in Pāvārika's mango grove. Then the Venerable Sāriputta approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the Venerable Sāriputta said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, I have such confidence (pasanna) in the Blessed One that there has not been, there will not be, and there is not found at present any other ascetic or brahmin superior in direct knowledge (abhiññā) to the Blessed One, that is, with respect to full awakening (sambodhi)."
The Blessed One said: "Lofty indeed, Sāriputta, is this bull's utterance (āsabhivācā) you have spoken; you have grasped it categorically and roared a lion's roar (sīhanāda): 'Venerable sir, I have such confidence in the Blessed One that there has not been, there will not be, and there is not found at present any other ascetic or brahmin superior in direct knowledge to the Blessed One, that is, with respect to full awakening.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.