[346] "Yes, friend," the Venerable Bhaddiya replied to that bhikkhu, and he approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. As the Venerable Bhaddiya was seated to one side, the Blessed One said this to him: "Is it true, Bhaddiya, that on going to the forest, on going to the foot of a tree, and on going to an empty dwelling, you frequently utter the inspired utterance (udāna): 'Ah, what happiness! Ah, what happiness!'?"
"It is so, venerable sir."
"But, Bhaddiya, seeing what benefit do you, on going to the forest, on going to the foot of a tree, and on going to an empty dwelling, frequently utter the inspired utterance: 'Ah, what happiness! Ah, what happiness!'?"
"Formerly, venerable sir, when I was a king, guards were well arranged within the inner palace, and guards were well arranged outside the inner palace; guards were well arranged within the city, and guards were well arranged outside the city; guards were well arranged within the countryside, and guards were well arranged outside the countryside. Yet, venerable sir, though thus guarded and protected, I dwelt fearful, agitated, distrustful, and alarmed. But now, venerable sir, going alone to the forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty dwelling, I dwell unafraid, unagitated, undistrustful, unalarmed, unconcerned, with hair unruffled, living on what others give, with a mind become like a deer's. Seeing this benefit, venerable sir, on going to the forest … I frequently utter the inspired utterance: 'Ah, what happiness! Ah, what happiness!'"
Then the Blessed One, having understood the meaning of this, on that occasion uttered this inspired utterance:
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.