At Savatthi. Standing to one side, that devatā recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:

“Those who dwell deep in the forest,
Peaceful, leading the holy life,
Eating but a single meal a day:
Why is their complexion so serene?”

The Blessed One:

“They do not sorrow over the past,
Nor do they hanker for the future.
They maintain themselves with what is present:
Hence their complexion is so serene.

“Through hankering for the future,
Through sorrowing over the past,
Fools dry up and wither away
Like a green reed cut down.”