At Sāvatthi. Now at that time the Blessed One was sitting in meditation during the day. Then Sakka, lord of the gods, and Brahma Sahampati went to the Supreme Buddha and stood at opposite doorposts. Then Sakka, lord of the gods, recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
“Rise up, O hero, victor in battle with Māra. The great being who released the burden of the aggregates! Oh the debt-free teacher! Wander in the world! Your well liberated mind is like the shining full moon in the night.”
Brahma Sahampati: “It is not in such a way that the Tathāgatas are to be venerated, lord of the gods. The Tathāgatas are to be venerated, lord of the gods, thus:
“Rise up, O victor in Battle with Mara! O caravan leader who makes the beings cross over Saṁsāra! O debt-free teacher! Wander in the world! Teach the Dhamma, O Blessed One: there will surely be those who will understand.”
