This is how I heard. At one time the Blessed One was living on the bank of the river Sappinī at the city of Rājagaha. Then, when the night was ending, brahma Sanaṅkumāra, of stunning beauty, lighting the entire bank of the river Sappinī, went to the Blessed One, paid homage to the Blessed One, and stood to one side. Standing to one side, he recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
“When one considers the clan of people, a person from a king’s family is the best among people. But, a sage accomplished in true knowledge and pure conduct is best among gods and humans.”
This is what brahma Sanaṅkumāra said. The Great Teacher approved. Then brahma Sanaṅkumāra, thinking happily, “The Supreme Teacher has approved of my verse,” paid homage to the Blessed One and, worshipping around the Blessed One, disappeared right there.
