1Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha on Mount Vulture Peak not long after Devadatta had left. [n.411] Spk says this took place not long after Devadatta had created a schism and had gone from the Bamboo Grove to Gaya's Head; see Vin II 199. In the Vin version, however, the Buddha pronounces this verse, not after Devadatta creates a schism, but when he wins the patronage of the parricide King Ajatasattu; see Vin II 188. Then, when the night had advanced, Brahma Sahampati, of stunning beauty, illuminating the entire Mount Vulture Peak, approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and stood to one side. sn.i.154 Standing to one side, referring to Devadatta, he recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:

1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—​ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe vihārati gijjhakūṭe pabbate acirapakkante devadatte. Atha kho brahmā sahampati abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇo kevalakappaṁ gijjhakūṭaṁ pabbataṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho brahmā sahampati devadattaṁ ārabbha bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: