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:
“There is no love that can be compared to the love for a child.
There is no wealth equal to the wealth of cattle.
There is no light like that of the sun.
Of waters, the ocean is incomparable.”
The Blessed One:
“There is no love like that for oneself.
There is no wealth equal to grain.
There is no light like that of wisdom.
Of waters, rain is incomparable.”
Sādhu! Sādhu!! Sādhu!!!
