Sāriputta Sutta (SN 8.6) – The Discourse to Sāriputta

6. The Discourse to Sāriputta

214. More Details On one occasion the venerable Sāriputta was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the venerable Sāriputta was instructing, encouraging, inspiring, and gladdening the monks with a talk on the Teaching, with polished speech, distinct, free from drooling, capable of making the meaning clear. And those monks, having given attention, having reflected, having collected together with the whole mind, listen to the Teaching, lending an ear. Then this occurred to the venerable Vaṅgīsa - "This venerable Sāriputta is instructing, encouraging, inspiring, and gladdening the monks with a talk on the Teaching, with polished speech, distinct, free from drooling, capable of making the meaning clear. And those monks, having given attention, having reflected, having collected together with the whole mind, listen to the Teaching, lending an ear. What if I were to praise the venerable Sāriputta face to face with fitting verses."

Then the venerable Vaṅgīsa, having risen from his seat, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the venerable Sāriputta, said this to the venerable Sāriputta - "It occurs to me, friend Sāriputta, it occurs to me, friend Sāriputta." "Let it occur to you, friend Vaṅgīsa." Then the venerable Vaṅgīsa praised the venerable Sāriputta face to face with fitting verses -

"Of profound wisdom, intelligent, skilled in what is the path and what is not the path;

Sāriputta of great wisdom expounds the Teaching to the monks.

"He teaches in brief, he also speaks in detail;

Like the sound of a myna bird, he utters inspiration.

"As he teaches that, they hear his sweet utterance;

With a voice that is delightful, pleasant to hear, lovely;

With elated minds, joyful, the monks lend an ear."