1Standing to one side, the young deva Nandana addressed the Blessed One in verse:

2v.295 "I ask you, Gotama, broad of wisdom—
Unobstructed is the Blessed One's knowledge and vision:

sn.i.53What is he like whom they call virtuous?
What is he like whom they call wise?
What is he like who has passed beyond suffering?
What is he like whom the devatas worship?"

3v.296 "One virtuous, wise, of developed mind,
Concentrated, mindful, enjoying jhāna,
For whom all sorrows are gone, abandoned,
A taint-destroyer bearing his final body:

4v.297 It is such a one that they call virtuous,
Such a one that they call wise,
Such a one has passed beyond suffering,
Such a one the devatas worship."

1Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho nandano devaputto bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

2"Pucchāmi taṁ gotama bhūripañña,
Anāvaṭaṁ bhagavato ñāṇadassanaṁ;

Kathaṁvidhaṁ sīlavantaṁ vadanti,
Kathaṁvidhaṁ paññavantaṁ vadanti;
Kathaṁvidho dukkhamaticca iriyati,
Kathaṁvidhaṁ devatā pūjayantī"ti.

3"Yo sīlavā paññavā bhāvitatto,
Samāhito jhanarato satīmā;
Sabbassa sokā vigatā pahīnā,
Khīṇāsavo antimadehadhārī.

4Tathāvidhaṁ sīlavantaṁ vadanti,
Tathāvidhaṁ paññavantaṁ vadanti;
Tathāvidho dukkhamaticca iriyati,
Tathāvidhaṁ devatā pūjayantī"ti.