[107] It occurred to the people: "These ascetics (samaṇa), sons of the Sakyan (sakyaputtiya), are not the doers of it; this evil was not done by these ascetics, sons of the Sakyan." That sound did not last long: the sound lasted only seven days, and with the passing of seven days it disappeared.
Then many bhikkhus approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, those bhikkhus said this to the Blessed One: "It is wonderful, venerable sir! It is marvellous, venerable sir! How well spoken, venerable sir, was this by the Blessed One: 'Bhikkhus, this sound will not last long; with the passing of seven days it will disappear.' Venerable sir, that sound has disappeared."
Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, on that occasion uttered this inspired utterance (udāna):
"Unrestrained, people stab with their words,
as an elephant gone into battle [is pierced] by foes;
having heard harsh speech uttered,
a bhikkhu should endure it with a mind (citta) free of hate."
The eighth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.