Numbered Discourses 4.172

1. Intention

Sāriputta’s Attainment of Textual Analysis

There Sāriputta addressed the mendicants:

“Reverends, mendicants!”

“Reverend,” they replied.

Sāriputta said this:

“Reverends, I realized the textual analysis of the meaning—piece by piece and expression by expression—a fortnight after I ordained.

In many ways I explain, teach, assert, establish, clarify, analyze, and reveal it.

Whoever has any doubt or uncertainty, let them ask me,

I will answer. Our teacher is present, he who is so very skilled in our teachings.

I realized the textual analysis of the text—piece by piece and expression by expression—a fortnight after I ordained. …

I realized the textual analysis of definition—piece by piece and expression by expression—a fortnight after I ordained. …

I realized the textual analysis of eloquence—piece by piece and expression by expression—a fortnight after I ordained.

In many ways I explain, teach, assert, establish, clarify, analyze, and reveal it.

If anyone has any doubt or uncertainty, let them ask me,

I will answer. Our teacher is present, he who is so very skilled in our teachings.”