[565] Then Brahmā Sahampati — just as a strong man might stretch forth his bent arm or bend back his outstretched arm — vanished from the Brahmā world and appeared in the dwelling of the mother of the Venerable Brahmadeva. Then Brahmā Sahampati, standing in mid-air, addressed the brahmin lady, the Venerable Brahmadeva's mother, in verses:
"Far from here, brahmin lady, is the Brahmā world,
to which you constantly hold up your oblation (āhuti).
Not such, brahmin lady, is the food of Brahmā:
why do you mutter, not knowing the path to Brahmā?
For this one, brahmin lady, is your Brahmadeva —
free from acquisitions (nirūpadhika), attained to what surpasses the devas,
owning nothing, a **bhikkhu** supporting no other —
he who has entered your house for alms.
Worthy of oblations (āhuneyya), a master of knowledge (vedagū), inwardly developed,
worthy of offerings from humans and devas,
having banished evils, unstained,
grown cool, he goes about in search of food.
For him there is nothing behind, nothing in front;
at peace, smokeless, untroubled, wishless,
he has laid down the rod towards the frail and the firm (tasathāvara):
let him partake of your oblation, the choicest almsfood (aggapiṇḍa).
Free from the army (visenibhūta), his mind at peace,
like a tamed nāga he wanders, unstirred (aneja),
a bhikkhu of excellent virtue, with mind well liberated:
let him partake of your oblation, the choicest almsfood.
Confident in him, unwavering,
establish your offering (dakkhiṇā) in one worthy of offerings (dakkhiṇeyya);
make merit that brings happiness hereafter,
having seen, brahmin lady, the sage (muni) who has crossed the flood (oghatiṇṇa).
Confident in him, unwavering,
establish your offering in one worthy of offerings:
you have made merit that brings happiness hereafter,
having seen, brahmin lady, the sage who has crossed the flood."
The Baka Sutta, the Fourth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.