[668] Then the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan, while searching for those oxen, approached that forest thicket. Having approached, he saw the Blessed One seated in that forest thicket, having folded his legs crosswise, set his body erect, and established mindfulness (sati) before him. On seeing him, he approached the Blessed One, and having approached, he recited these verses in the presence of the Blessed One:
"Surely this ascetic (samaṇa) has no
fourteen oxen
not seen now for sixty days:
therefore this ascetic is happy.
Surely this ascetic has no
blighted sesame plants in his field,
some with one leaf, some with two:
therefore this ascetic is happy.
Surely this ascetic has no
rats in an empty granary
dancing about with abandon:
therefore this ascetic is happy.
Surely this ascetic has no
sleeping-mat, seven months in use,
covered over with the vermin bred in it:
therefore this ascetic is happy.
Surely this ascetic has no
widowed daughters,
some with one son, some with two:
therefore this ascetic is happy.
Surely this ascetic has no
tawny woman, blotched all over with spots,
to strike him with her foot as he sleeps:
therefore this ascetic is happy.
Surely this ascetic has no
creditors at daybreak
pressing him, 'Give! Give!':
therefore this ascetic is happy."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.