1At Sāvatthī.

Then the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Pure went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.

When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and recited this verse in his presence:

2“No brahmin in the world is ever purified
even though he’s ethical and mortifies himself.
But one accomplished in knowledge and conduct
is purified, not these commoners.”

3“Even one who mutters many invocations
is no brahmin by birth
if they’re filthy and corrupt within,
supporting themselves by fraud.

4Regardless of whether you’re an aristocrat,
a brahmin, merchant, worker, or an outcaste or scavenger —
if you’re energetic and resolute,
always staunchly vigorous,
you’ll attain the highest happiness.
Know that for a fact, brahmin.”

5When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Pure said to the Buddha: “Excellent, Master Gotama …” … And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.

1Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Atha kho suddhikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho suddhikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ ajjhabhāsi: 

2"Na brāhmaṇo sujjhati koci,
Loke sīlavāpi tapokaraṁ;
Vijjācaraṇasampanno,
So sujjhati na aññā itarā pajā"ti.

3"Bahumpi palapaṁ jappaṁ,
na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo;
Antokasambu saṅkiliṭṭho,
kuhanaṁ upanissito.

4Khattiyo brāhmaṇo vesso,
Suddo caṇḍālapukkuso;
Āraddhavīriyo pahitatto,
Niccaṁ daḷhaparakkamo;
Pappoti paramaṁ suddhiṁ,
Evaṁ jānāhi brāhmaṇā"ti.

5Evaṁ vutte, suddhikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: "Abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama … pe … aññataro ca panāyasmā bhāradvājo arahataṁ ahosīti.