This is as I heard from the Blessed One. At one time, the Blessed One was staying in the city of Gayā, on Gayā Head. It was the winter season, and for eight days, during the cold winter nights, it was snowing heavily. During that time, many Jaṭila Ascetics were plunging in and out of the water at the Gayā dock. They were pouring water over themselves and performing the fire sacrifice, thinking, “through these actions, our lives will be purified.”
The Blessed One saw that many Jaṭila Ascetics were plunging in and out of the water at the Gayā dock. They were pouring water over themselves and performing the fire sacrifice, thinking, “through these actions, our lives will be purified.”
Then, on realizing the true purity of life, the Blessed One spoke the following inspired verse,
Many people bathe in this Gayā dock, but the life is not cleansed by water. Whoever has realized the truth and attained the ultimate freedom, Nibbāna, is truly cleansed. He is a Brāhmin.
