The Related Suttas Collection 8.6

1. With Vaṅgīsa

With Sāriputta

At one time Venerable Sāriputta was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Now at that time Venerable Sāriputta was educating, encouraging, firing up, and inspiring the bhikkhus in the assembly hall with a Dhamma talk. His words were polished, clear, articulate, and expressed the meaning. And those bhikkhus were paying attention, applying the mind, concentrating wholeheartedly, and actively listening.

Then Venerable Vaṅgīsa thought, “This Venerable Sāriputta is educating the bhikkhus. … And those bhikkhus are paying attention, applying the mind, concentrating wholeheartedly, and actively listening. Why don’t I extoll him in his presence with fitting verses?”

Then Venerable Vaṅgīsa got up from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his joined palms toward Sāriputta, and said, “I feel inspired to speak, Friend Sāriputta! I feel inspired to speak, Friend Sāriputta!”

“Then speak as you feel inspired,” said Sāriputta.

Then Vaṅgīsa extolled Sāriputta in his presence with fitting verses:

“Deep in wisdom, intelligent, expert in the variety of paths; Sāriputta, so greatly wise, teaches Dhamma to the bhikkhus.

He teaches in brief, or he speaks at length. His call, like a myna bird, overflows with inspiration.

While he teaches the bhikkhus listen to his sweet voice, sounding attractive, clear and graceful. They listen joyfully, their hearts elated.”