With Sanaṅkumāra

So I have heard.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the bank of the Serpentine river. ^[1]

Then, late at night, the glorious divinity Sanaṅkumāra, lighting up the entire Serpentine riverbank, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, ^[2]

and spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“The aristocrat is best among people

who take clan as the standard.

But one accomplished in knowledge and conduct

is best among gods and humans.”

That’s what the divinity Sanaṅkumāra said,

and the teacher approved.

Then the divinity Sanaṅkumāra, knowing that the teacher approved, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before vanishing right there.