Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove.
Now at that time the Buddha had gone into retreat for the day’s meditation.
Then Sakka, lord of gods, and Verocana, lord of titans, approached the Buddha and stationed themselves one by each door-post. Then Verocana spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:
“A man should make an effort until his goal is accomplished. A goal is splendid when accomplished—this is the word of Verocana!”
“A man should make an effort until his goal is accomplished. For the goal that’s splendid when accomplished, naught better than patience is found.”
“All beings are in need, as they deserve in each case. But even so, harnessed work is the highest thing of value for all living creatures. A goal is splendid when accomplished—this is the word of Verocana!”
“All beings are in need, as they deserve in each case. But rather than harnessed work being the highest thing of value for all living creatures, for the goal that’s splendid when accomplished, naught better than patience is found.”