At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove.
Now at that time the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Builder was having some building work done in that jungle thicket.
He saw the Buddha sitting down cross-legged at the root of a certain sal tree, his body set straight, and mindfulness established in his presence.
Seeing this, it occurred to him,
“I enjoy having this building work done here in the jungle.
I wonder what the ascetic Gotama enjoys having done?”
Then Bhāradvāja the Builder went up to the Buddha and addressed him in verse:
“What kind of works are done by you,
a mendicant in the sal jungle?
How do you find enjoyment
alone in the wilderness, Gotama?”
“There’s nothing I need do in the jungle;
my jungle’s cut at the root, it’s withered away.
Free of snarls and thorns in the jungle,
I enjoy solitude, having given up discontent.”
When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Builder said to the Buddha,
“Excellent, worthy Gotama …
From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”