[203] When this was said, the brahmin Kūṭadanta said to those brahmins: "Well then, sirs, hear from me also why it is precisely we who are worthy to go to see the worthy Gotama, and why the worthy Gotama is not the one who should come to see us. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama is well born on both sides, on his mother's side and his father's side, of pure conception back through seven generations of forefathers, unimpeached and irreproachable with respect to birth. And since, sirs, the ascetic Gotama is well born on both sides, on his mother's side and his father's side, of pure conception back through seven generations of forefathers, unimpeached and irreproachable with respect to birth, for this reason too the worthy Gotama is not the one who should come to see us; rather, it is we who are worthy to go to see the worthy Gotama.
Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama went forth having abandoned a great company of relatives. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama went forth having abandoned abundant bullion and gold, both stored beneath the ground and set above ground. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama, while still young, a black-haired young man endowed with the blessing of youth, in the prime of life, went forth from the household life into homelessness. Indeed, sirs, though his mother and father were unwilling and wept with tearful faces, the ascetic Gotama shaved off his hair and beard, put on the ochre robes, and went forth from the household life into homelessness. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama is handsome, comely, inspiring confidence, endowed with supreme beauty of complexion, of Brahmā-like complexion, of Brahmā-like presence, in no way insignificant to behold. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama is virtuous, of noble virtue, of wholesome virtue, endowed with wholesome virtue. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama is of lovely speech, of lovely utterance, endowed with urbane speech, distinct, faultless, making the meaning clear. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama is a teacher of the teachers of many. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama has destroyed sensual lust (kāmarāga) and is rid of frivolity. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama teaches the efficacy of deeds and the efficacy of action, and intends no harm to the brahmin people. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama went forth from a high family, from an unmixed khattiya family. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama went forth from a prosperous family, of great wealth and great possessions. Indeed, sirs, people come from foreign realms and foreign districts to question the ascetic Gotama. Indeed, sirs, many thousands of deities have gone to the ascetic Gotama for refuge for life. Indeed, sirs, this fair report of fame has spread abroad concerning the ascetic Gotama:
'That Blessed One is thus an arahant, perfectly enlightened, accomplished in true knowledge (vijjā) and conduct, well-gone, knower of the world, unsurpassed charioteer of persons to be tamed, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.'
Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama is endowed with the thirty-two marks of a great man. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama is one who bids all 'Come, you are welcome,' congenial, affable, without a frown, open-countenanced, the first to speak. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama is honored, respected, esteemed, venerated, and revered by the four assemblies. Indeed, sirs, many gods and humans are deeply devoted to the ascetic Gotama. Indeed, sirs, in whatever village or town the ascetic Gotama dwells, in that village or town non-humans do not harass humans. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama, being the head of an order, the head of a following, the teacher of a following, is declared the foremost of the many founders of sects; and whereas, sirs, the fame of those ascetics and brahmins arises in whatever haphazard way, not so has the fame of the ascetic Gotama arisen—rather, the fame of the ascetic Gotama has arisen through his unsurpassed accomplishment in true knowledge and conduct. Indeed, sirs, King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, together with his sons, his wives, his retinue, and his ministers, has gone to the ascetic Gotama for refuge for life. Indeed, sirs, King Pasenadi of Kosala, together with his sons, his wives, his retinue, and his ministers, has gone to the ascetic Gotama for refuge for life. Indeed, sirs, the brahmin Pokkharasāti, together with his sons, his wives, his retinue, and his ministers, has gone to the ascetic Gotama for refuge for life. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama is honored, respected, esteemed, venerated, and revered by King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama is honored, respected, esteemed, venerated, and revered by King Pasenadi of Kosala. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama is honored, respected, esteemed, venerated, and revered by the brahmin Pokkharasāti. Indeed, sirs, the ascetic Gotama has arrived at Khāṇumata and dwells at Ambalaṭṭhikā near Khāṇumata. Now whatever ascetics or brahmins come to our village domain, they are our guests; and guests should be honored, respected, esteemed, venerated, and revered by us. Since, sirs, the ascetic Gotama has arrived at Khāṇumata and dwells at Ambalaṭṭhikā near Khāṇumata, the ascetic Gotama is our guest; and a guest should be honored, respected, esteemed, venerated, and revered by us. For this reason too the worthy ascetic Gotama is not the one who should come to see us; rather, it is we who are worthy to go to see the worthy Gotama. This much, sirs, of the worthy Gotama's praise have I learned by heart; but the worthy Gotama's praise is not merely this much, for the worthy Gotama's praise is immeasurable."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.