1Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha on the bank of the river Sappini. Then, when the night had advanced, Brahma Sanankumara, of stunning beauty, illuminating the entire bank of the river Sappini, approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and stood to one side. [n.410] Spk: When he was the youth Pañcasikha he developed jhāna and was reborn in the brahma world. Because he retained the appearance of a youth they knew him as Kumara, but because of his great age he was called Sanankumara, "Forever Youthful." He makes a dramatic appearance at DN II 210–19. At MN I 358,28–29 Ānanda utters the verse after he has given a detailed analysis of the two terms knowledge (vijjā) and conduct (caraṇa). Standing to one side, he recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:

3This is what Brahma Sanankumara said. The Teacher approved. Then Brahma Sanankumara, thinking, "The Teacher has approved of me," paid homage to the Blessed One and, keeping him on his right, he disappeared right there.

1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—​ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe vihārati sappinītīre. Atha kho brahmā sanaṅkumāro abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇo kevalakappaṁ sappinītīraṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho brahmā sanaṅkumāro bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

3Idamavoca brahmā sanaṅkumāro. Samanuñño satthā ahosi. Atha kho brahmā sanaṅkumāro "samanuñño me satthā"ti bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyīti.