[364] 6. Thus have I heard.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha, in the Veḷuvana (the Bamboo Grove), the Kalandakanivāpa (the squirrels' feeding ground). Now on that occasion questions had been set forth to the wanderer (paribbājaka) Sabhiya by a deity (devatā) who had formerly been his blood relation: "Sabhiya, whatever ascetic or brahmin, when asked these questions by you, answers them — in his presence you should live the holy life (brahmacariya)." Then the wanderer Sabhiya, having learned the questions in the presence of that deity, approached those ascetics and brahmins who were leaders of orders, leaders of companies, teachers of companies, well known, famous, founders of sects (titthakara), esteemed as good by the multitude — namely, Pūraṇa Kassapa, Makkhali Gosāla, Ajita Kesakambala, Pakuddha Kaccāyana, Sañjaya Veḷaṭṭhaputta, and Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta — and asked them those questions. When asked the questions by the wanderer Sabhiya, they were unable to answer; being unable to answer, they displayed anger, hatred, and displeasure, and moreover they questioned the wanderer Sabhiya in return. Then it occurred to the wanderer Sabhiya: "Those honorable ascetics and brahmins who are leaders of orders, leaders of companies, teachers of companies, well known, famous, founders of sects, esteemed as good by the multitude — namely, Pūraṇa Kassapa … Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta — when asked the questions by me, were unable to answer; being unable to answer, they displayed anger, hatred, and displeasure, and moreover they even questioned me in return about them. What if I were to revert to the lower life and enjoy sensual pleasures?" Then it occurred to the wanderer Sabhiya: "This ascetic Gotama is a leader of an order and a leader of a company, a teacher of a company, well known, famous, a founder of a sect, esteemed as good by the multitude. What if I were to approach the ascetic Gotama and ask him these questions?" Then it occurred to the wanderer Sabhiya: "Those honorable ascetics and brahmins who are aged, old, elderly, advanced in years, arrived at the last stage of life — elders, of long standing, long gone forth — leaders of orders, leaders of companies, teachers of companies, well known, famous, founders of sects, esteemed as good by the multitude — namely, Pūraṇa Kassapa … Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta — even they, when asked the questions by me, were unable to answer; being unable to answer, they displayed anger, hatred, and displeasure, and moreover they even questioned me in return about them. How then will the ascetic Gotama answer these questions when asked by me? For the ascetic Gotama is both young by birth and new in the going forth (pabbajjā)." Then it occurred to the wanderer Sabhiya: "The ascetic Gotama should not be looked down upon or treated with contempt on the ground that he is young. Even if an ascetic is young, he may be one of great spiritual power, of great might. What if I were to approach the ascetic Gotama and ask him these questions?" Then the wanderer Sabhiya set out on a journey toward Rājagaha. Wandering by stages, he came to Rājagaha, to the Veḷuvana, the Kalandakanivāpa, and approached the Blessed One; having approached, he exchanged greetings with the Blessed One, and when the courteous and amiable talk was concluded, he sat down at one side. Sitting at one side, the wanderer Sabhiya addressed the Blessed One in verse:
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.