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Udàna 1: Bodhivaggo
The Chapter (including the Discourses) about the Awakening (Tree)

8: The Discourse about Saïgàmajã

Thus I heard:
at one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Sàvatthã, in Jeta's Wood, at Anàthapiõóika's monastery.

Then at that time venerable Saïgàmajã had arrived at Sàvatthã to see the Gracious One. Venerable Saïgàmajã's former wife heard: ßMaster Saïgàmajã it seems has arrived at Sàvatthãû, and taking her little boy she went to Jeta's Wood. Then at that time venerable Saïgàmajã was dwelling for the day sat at the root of a certain tree.

Then venerable Saïgàmajã's former wife went to venerable Saïgàmajã, and after going, she said to venerable Saïgàmajã: ßI have a little son, ascetic, you must take care of me.û After that was said, venerable Saïgàmajã was silent.

For a second time venerable Saïgàmajã's former wife said to venerable Saïgàmajã: ßI have a little son, ascetic, you must take care of me.û For a second time venerable Saïgàmajã was silent.

For a third time venerable Saïgàmajã's former wife said to venerable Saïgàmajã: ßI have a little son, ascetic, you must take care of me.û For a third time venerable Saïgàmajã was silent.

Then venerable Saïgàmajã's former wife, having put the boy down in front of venerable Saïgàmajã, went away, (saying): ßThis is your son, ascetic, you must take care of him.û

But venerable Saïgàmajã did not look at the boy, and nor did he speak (to him).

Then venerable Saïgàmajã's former wife having gone not far away, looking round saw that venerable Saïgàmajã was neither looking at the boy, and nor was he speaking (to him). Having seen (that) this occured to her: ßThis ascetic does not even have need of a son.û Therefore, after turning back and taking the boy, she went away.

The Gracious One saw with the divine-eye which is purified, and surpasses that of (normal) men, that venerable Saïgàmajã's former wife had such bad manners.

Then the Gracious One, having understood the significance of it, on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance: