Saṅgāmajisuttaṃ [Ud 1.8, PTS 6]

8.

The Discourse on Saṅgāmaji

8. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the Venerable Saṅgāmaji had arrived at Sāvatthī to see the Blessed One. The Venerable Saṅgāmaji's former wife heard - "The noble Saṅgāmaji, it is said, has arrived at Sāvatthī." She, taking the child, went to Jeta's Grove.

Now at that time the Venerable Saṅgāmaji was seated for the day's abiding at the foot of a certain tree. Then the Venerable Saṅgāmaji's former wife approached the Venerable Saṅgāmaji; having approached, she said this to the Venerable Saṅgāmaji - "I have a small child, ascetic, support me." When this was said, the Venerable Saṅgāmaji remained silent.

For the second time the Venerable Saṅgāmaji's former wife said this to the Venerable Saṅgāmaji - "I have a small child, ascetic, support me." For the second time the Venerable Saṅgāmaji remained silent.

For the third time the Venerable Saṅgāmaji's former wife said this to the Venerable Saṅgāmaji - "I have a small child, ascetic, support me." For the third time the Venerable Saṅgāmaji remained silent.

Then the Venerable Saṅgāmaji's former wife, having placed that child in front of the Venerable Saṅgāmaji, departed - "This is your son, ascetic; support him."

Then the Venerable Saṅgāmaji neither looked at that child nor spoke to him. Then the Venerable Saṅgāmaji's former wife, having gone not far, looking back, saw the Venerable Saṅgāmaji neither looking at that child nor speaking to him, and having seen, this occurred to her - "This ascetic has no need even of his son." Then, having turned back, she took the child and departed. The Blessed One saw with the divine eye, which is pure and surpasses the human, such conduct of the Venerable Saṅgāmaji's former wife.

Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time uttered this inspired utterance -