This is as I heard. At one time the Blessed One was staying in the province of Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s park, at Anathapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s park, went up to the Blessed One, bowed, stood to one side, and recited this verse:
“One with children delights because of their children!
In the same way, a cattle owner delights because of their cattle.
People have happiness because of these attachments.
If one does not have any attachments,
they do not have happiness in life.”
The Blessed One:
“No! Those with children, lament
at the end because of their children.
In the same way, cattle owners lament
at the end because of their cattle.
These attachments only result in lamentation.
If one does not have attachments,
they would not lament.”
Sādhu! Sādhu!! Sādhu!!!
