[381] 9. Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Icchānaṅgala, in the Icchānaṅgala forest grove. Now on that occasion many well-known, wealthy brahmins (brāhmaṇamahāsālā) were residing at Icchānaṅgala — namely, the brahmin Caṅkī, the brahmin Tārukkha, the brahmin Pokkharasāti, the brahmin Jāṇussoṇi, the brahmin Todeyya, and other well-known, wealthy brahmins. Then, as the brahmin students (māṇava) Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja were walking and wandering about to stretch their legs, this conversation arose between them: "How, sir, is one a brahmin?"
The brahmin student Bhāradvāja said this: "When, sir, one is well born on both sides, on the mother's side and on the father's side, of pure descent as far back as the seventh generation of forefathers, unimpeached and irreproachable with respect to birth — to this extent, sir, one is a brahmin."
The brahmin student Vāseṭṭha said this: "When, sir, one is virtuous and accomplished in observances (vatta) — to this extent indeed, sir, one is a brahmin."
But the brahmin student Bhāradvāja could not convince the brahmin student Vāseṭṭha, nor could the brahmin student Vāseṭṭha convince the brahmin student Bhāradvāja.
Then the brahmin student Vāseṭṭha addressed the brahmin student Bhāradvāja: "Sir Bhāradvāja, this ascetic (samaṇa) Gotama, the son of the Sakyans, gone forth from a Sakyan family, is dwelling at Icchānaṅgala, in the Icchānaṅgala forest grove. Now about that Master Gotama this fair report of fame has spread abroad: 'Thus indeed is that Blessed One … the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.' Come, Bhāradvāja, let us go to the ascetic Gotama; having approached him, we shall ask him about this matter. As the ascetic Gotama answers us, so shall we bear it in mind."
"Yes, sir," the brahmin student Bhāradvāja replied to the brahmin student Vāseṭṭha.
Then the brahmin students Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja approached the Blessed One; having approached, they exchanged greetings with the Blessed One, and when they had concluded their courteous and amiable talk, they sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the brahmin student Vāseṭṭha addressed the Blessed One in verses:
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.