[62] Now on that occasion the Saṅgha of bhikkhus with the Buddha at its head had been invited by a certain lay follower (upāsaka) for the next day's meal; and that lay follower was a supporter (upaṭṭhāka) of the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna. Then the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna: "Come, Moggallāna, go to that lay follower, and when you have approached him, say this to that lay follower: 'Friend, Suppavāsā the Koliyan daughter carried a child in her womb for seven years and for seven days was in obstructed labor. Now she is happy and free from illness, and she has given birth to a son free from illness; and she has invited the Saṅgha of bhikkhus with the Buddha at its head for meals for seven days. Let Suppavāsā the Koliyan daughter provide the seven meals; afterwards he will provide his.' He is your supporter."
"Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna replied to the Blessed One, and he went to that lay follower; and when he had approached, he said this to that lay follower: "Friend, Suppavāsā the Koliyan daughter carried a child in her womb for seven years and for seven days was in obstructed labor. Now she is happy and free from illness, and she has given birth to a son free from illness; and she has invited the Saṅgha of bhikkhus with the Buddha at its head for meals for seven days. Let Suppavāsā the Koliyan daughter provide the seven meals; afterwards you shall provide yours."
"Venerable sir, if the master Mahāmoggallāna will be my guarantor (pāṭibhoga) for three things — for my wealth, for my life, and for my faith (saddhā) — then let Suppavāsā the Koliyan daughter provide the seven meals; afterwards I will provide mine."
"Friend, I am your guarantor for two things — for your wealth and for your life; but of your faith you yourself alone are the guarantor."
"Venerable sir, if the master Mahāmoggallāna is guarantor for two things — for my wealth and for my life — then let Suppavāsā the Koliyan daughter provide the seven meals; afterwards I will provide mine."
Then the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, having persuaded that lay follower, approached the Blessed One; and when he had approached, he said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, that lay follower has been persuaded. Let Suppavāsā the Koliyan daughter provide the seven meals; afterwards he will provide his."
Then for seven days Suppavāsā the Koliyan daughter with her own hand served and satisfied the Saṅgha of bhikkhus with the Buddha at its head with excellent hard and soft food; and she had the child pay homage to the Blessed One and to the Saṅgha of bhikkhus.
Then the Venerable Sāriputta said this to that child: "I hope, child, that you are bearing up; I hope you are getting by; I hope there is no suffering (dukkha)?"
"Venerable Sāriputta, how could I be bearing up? How could I be getting by? For seven years I dwelt in a womb of blood."
Then Suppavāsā the Koliyan daughter, thinking, "My son is conversing with the General of the Dhamma (Dhammasenāpati)!" was elated and gladdened, filled with rapture (pīti) and joy. Then the Blessed One, knowing that Suppavāsā the Koliyan daughter was elated and gladdened, filled with rapture and joy, said this to Suppavāsā the Koliyan daughter: "Suppavāsā, would you wish for yet another son such as this?"
"Venerable sir, Blessed One, I would wish for seven more sons such as this."
Then the Blessed One, understanding this matter, on that occasion uttered this inspired utterance (udāna):
The disagreeable in the guise of the agreeable,
the unloved in the guise of the loved,
suffering in the guise of happiness —
these overwhelm the one who is heedless.
The Eighth [Sutta].
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.