[358] 4. Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Kosalans on the bank of the river Sundarikā. Now on that occasion the brahmin Sundarikabhāradvāja was making offerings to the fire and tending the fire sacrifice (aggihutta) on the bank of the river Sundarikā. Then the brahmin Sundarikabhāradvāja, having made his offering to the fire and tended the fire sacrifice, rose from his seat and surveyed the four quarters all around, thinking, "Who now should eat this remainder of the oblation (havyasesa)?" The brahmin Sundarikabhāradvāja saw the Blessed One sitting at the foot of a certain tree not far away, covered up head and all; on seeing him, he took the remainder of the oblation in his left hand and the water pot (kamaṇḍalu) in his right hand and approached the Blessed One. Then, at the sound of the brahmin Sundarikabhāradvāja's footsteps, the Blessed One uncovered his head. Then the brahmin Sundarikabhāradvāja thought, "This worthy one is shaven; this worthy one is a shaveling!" and he wished to turn back from there. But then it occurred to the brahmin Sundarikabhāradvāja: "Even some brahmins here are shaven; suppose I were to approach him and ask about his birth." Then the brahmin Sundarikabhāradvāja approached the Blessed One and, having approached, said to him, "Of what birth is the worthy one?"
Then the Blessed One addressed the brahmin Sundarikabhāradvāja in verse:
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.