[86] Then the Blessed One, wandering on tour by stages, arrived at Āpaṇa. Keṇiya the matted-hair ascetic (jaṭila) heard: "Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama, the Sakyan son who went forth from the Sakyan family, has arrived at Āpaṇa. Now concerning that good Gotama such a fair report of fame has spread abroad: 'Thus indeed is that Blessed One: an accomplished one (arahaṃ), perfectly self-awakened, accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, fortunate, knower of the world, unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed, teacher of devas and humans, awakened, blessed. Having realized it himself by direct knowledge, he makes it known to this world with its devas, its Māras, and its Brahmās, to this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, its devas and humans. He teaches the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end; he proclaims the holy life, with its meaning and phrasing, entirely complete and pure. Good indeed is the sight of accomplished ones such as these.'"
Then it occurred to Keṇiya the jaṭila: "What, now, should I have brought to the ascetic Gotama?" Then it occurred to Keṇiya the jaṭila: "Those ancient seers of the brahmins, the makers of the hymns, the promulgators of the hymns, whose ancient hymn-verses—sung, recited, and compiled—the brahmins of today still sing after them and recite after them, repeating what was recited and rehearsing what was taught—namely, Aṭṭhaka, Vāmaka, Vāmadeva, Vessāmitta, Yamataggi, Aṅgirasa, Bhāradvāja, Vāseṭṭha, Kassapa, and Bhagu—those seers abstained from eating at night and refrained from food at the wrong time, yet they consented to accept drinks such as these. The ascetic Gotama too abstains from eating at night and refrains from food at the wrong time; the ascetic Gotama too is worthy to consent to drinks such as these." So, having had abundant drinks prepared and had them carried on carrying-poles, he approached the Blessed One; having approached, he exchanged greetings with the Blessed One, and when the courteous and memorable talk was concluded, he stood to one side. Standing to one side, Keṇiya the jaṭila said to the Blessed One: "May the good Gotama accept a drink from me."
"Then, Keṇiya, give it to the bhikkhus." The bhikkhus, being scrupulous, did not accept it. "Accept it, bhikkhus, and consume it."
Then Keṇiya the jaṭila, having with his own hand served and satisfied the bhikkhu Saṅgha headed by the Buddha with abundant drinks, when the Blessed One had washed his hand and withdrawn his hand from the bowl, sat down to one side. As Keṇiya the jaṭila sat to one side, the Blessed One instructed, roused, inspired, and gladdened him with a talk on the Dhamma. Then Keṇiya the jaṭila, having been instructed, roused, inspired, and gladdened by the Blessed One with a talk on the Dhamma, said to the Blessed One: "May the good Gotama consent to accept a meal from me tomorrow, together with the bhikkhu Saṅgha."
"The bhikkhu Saṅgha is large, Keṇiya—twelve hundred and fifty bhikkhus—and you have full confidence in the brahmins."
A second time Keṇiya the jaṭila said to the Blessed One: "Although, good Gotama, the bhikkhu Saṅgha is large—twelve hundred and fifty bhikkhus—and I have full confidence in the brahmins, still may the good Gotama consent to accept a meal from me tomorrow, together with the bhikkhu Saṅgha."
"The bhikkhu Saṅgha is large, Keṇiya—twelve hundred and fifty bhikkhus—and you have full confidence in the brahmins."
A third time Keṇiya the jaṭila said to the Blessed One: "Although, good Gotama, the bhikkhu Saṅgha is large—twelve hundred and fifty bhikkhus—and I have full confidence in the brahmins, still may the good Gotama consent to accept a meal from me tomorrow, together with the bhikkhu Saṅgha."
The Blessed One consented by silence. Then Keṇiya the jaṭila, having understood the Blessed One's consent, rose from his seat and departed.
Then the Blessed One, having given a talk on the Dhamma in that connection, on that occasion, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow eight drinks: mango drink, rose-apple drink, drink of seeded bananas, drink of seedless bananas, honey drink (madhupāna), grape drink, lotus-root drink, and phārusaka-fruit drink. Bhikkhus, I allow the juice of all fruits, except the juice of grain. Bhikkhus, I allow the juice of all leaves, except the juice of cooked vegetables. Bhikkhus, I allow the juice of all flowers, except the juice of the madhuka flower. Bhikkhus, I allow sugarcane juice."
Then Keṇiya the jaṭila, when that night had passed, having had excellent hard and soft food prepared in his own hermitage, had the time announced to the Blessed One: "It is time, good Gotama; the meal is ready." Then the Blessed One, in the forenoon, having dressed and taken his bowl and robe, went to the hermitage of Keṇiya the jaṭila; having arrived, he sat down on the appointed seat, together with the bhikkhu Saṅgha. Then Keṇiya the jaṭila, having with his own hand served and satisfied the bhikkhu Saṅgha headed by the Buddha with excellent hard and soft food, when the Blessed One had eaten and withdrawn his hand from the bowl, sat down to one side. As Keṇiya the jaṭila sat to one side, the Blessed One expressed his appreciation with these verses:
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.