4.
The Discourse to Mahāsāla
200.
At Sāvatthī.
Then a certain wealthy brahmin, rough and wearing rough garments, approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One.
Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side.
To that wealthy brahmin seated to one side, the Blessed One said this:
"Why are you, brahmin, rough and wearing rough garments?"
"Here, Master Gotama, I have four sons.
They, having consulted with their wives, are driving me out from the house."
"Well then, brahmin, having learnt these verses thoroughly, recite them in the assembly hall when a great multitude of people has gathered and when your sons are seated -
They, having consulted with their wives, drive me away as dogs do a pig.
Demons in the guise of sons, they abandon one who has reached old age.
The aged father of fools begs at others' houses.
It wards off even a fierce bull, and also a fierce dog.
By the power of the stick, having stumbled, one stands firm again."
Then that wealthy brahmin, having learnt these verses thoroughly in the presence of the Blessed One, recited them in the assembly hall when a great multitude of people had gathered and when his sons were seated -
They, having consulted with their wives, drive me away as dogs do a pig.
Demons in the guise of sons, they abandon one who has reached old age.
The aged father of fools begs at others' houses.
It wards off even a fierce bull, and also a fierce dog.
By the power of the stick, having stumbled, one stands firm again."
Then the sons led that wealthy brahmin to the house, bathed him, and clothed him individually with a suit of garments. Then that wealthy brahmin, having taken one suit of garments, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One. Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the wealthy brahmin said this to the Blessed One: "We brahmins, Master Gotama, seek a teacher's fee for our teacher. May Master Gotama accept my teacher's fee." The Blessed One accepted out of compassion. Then that wealthy brahmin said this to the Blessed One: "Excellent, Master Gotama! Etc. May Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge from this day forth for life."