[91] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha, in the mango grove of Jīvaka Komārabhacca, together with a great Saṅgha of bhikkhus, twelve hundred and fifty bhikkhus. Now at that time — it being the Uposatha (uposatha) day, the fifteenth, the Komudī full moon of the four-month season, on the night of the full moon — Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha, was seated on the upper storey of the royal palace, surrounded by his royal ministers. Then Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha, breathed forth this inspired utterance (udāna): "How delightful indeed, sirs, is this moonlit night! How beautiful indeed, sirs, is this moonlit night! How fair to behold indeed, sirs, is this moonlit night! How pleasing indeed, sirs, is this moonlit night! How auspicious indeed, sirs, is this moonlit night! What ascetic or brahmin might we visit today, such that our mind (citta), visiting him, might find serenity?"
When this was said, a certain royal minister said to Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha: "Sire, this Pūraṇa Kassapa is the head of an order, the leader of a group, the teacher of a group; he is well known, of great repute, a founder of a sect (titthakara), esteemed as good by the multitude; he is of long standing, long gone forth, advanced in years, arrived at the last stage of life. Let Your Majesty visit that Pūraṇa Kassapa. Perhaps, when Your Majesty visits Pūraṇa Kassapa, your mind may find serenity." When this was said, Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha, remained silent.
Then another royal minister said to Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha: "Sire, this Makkhali Gosāla is the head of an order, the leader of a group, the teacher of a group; he is well known, of great repute, a founder of a sect, esteemed as good by the multitude; he is of long standing, long gone forth, advanced in years, arrived at the last stage of life. Let Your Majesty visit that Makkhali Gosāla. Perhaps, when Your Majesty visits Makkhali Gosāla, your mind may find serenity." When this was said, Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha, remained silent.
Then another royal minister said to Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha: "Sire, this Ajita Kesakambala is the head of an order, the leader of a group, the teacher of a group; he is well known, of great repute, a founder of a sect, esteemed as good by the multitude; he is of long standing, long gone forth, advanced in years, arrived at the last stage of life. Let Your Majesty visit that Ajita Kesakambala. Perhaps, when Your Majesty visits Ajita Kesakambala, your mind may find serenity." When this was said, Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha, remained silent.
Then another royal minister said to Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha: "Sire, this Pakudha Kaccāyana is the head of an order, the leader of a group, the teacher of a group; he is well known, of great repute, a founder of a sect, esteemed as good by the multitude; he is of long standing, long gone forth, advanced in years, arrived at the last stage of life. Let Your Majesty visit that Pakudha Kaccāyana. Perhaps, when Your Majesty visits Pakudha Kaccāyana, your mind may find serenity." When this was said, Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha, remained silent.
Then another royal minister said to Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha: "Sire, this Sañjaya Velaṭṭhaputta is the head of an order, the leader of a group, the teacher of a group; he is well known, of great repute, a founder of a sect, esteemed as good by the multitude; he is of long standing, long gone forth, advanced in years, arrived at the last stage of life. Let Your Majesty visit that Sañjaya Velaṭṭhaputta. Perhaps, when Your Majesty visits Sañjaya Velaṭṭhaputta, your mind may find serenity." When this was said, Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha, remained silent.
Then another royal minister said to Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha: "Sire, this Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta is the head of an order, the leader of a group, the teacher of a group; he is well known, of great repute, a founder of a sect, esteemed as good by the multitude; he is of long standing, long gone forth, advanced in years, arrived at the last stage of life. Let Your Majesty visit that Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta. Perhaps, when Your Majesty visits Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta, your mind may find serenity." When this was said, Ajātasattu Vedehiputta, King of Magadha, remained silent.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.