ධම්මපදට්ඨකථා (Dhammapada Commentary — Sri Lankan Palm-Leaf MS)

While the Buddha was residing at the Jetavana Monastery in Savatthi, he related this Jataka story concerning a certain aged monk. This is how it occurred: At that time, the Blessed One, the Buddha, was residing at the monastery. At that time, an aged? monk living in that monastery was staying with his son, who had been ordained?. That son, who provided care and service, was very virtuous?.

At that time, that aged monk felt great affection? for his son. One day, the aged monk addressed his son, saying, "Friend, I am very tired today. Please prepare some gruel for me." Then, that son-monk, out of compassion for his father, looked for a place to cook the gruel. He saw a fire in a certain? place, went there, brought the fire, prepared the gruel?, and gave it to his father.

The aged monk, having drunk that gruel, felt very happy and offered blessings? to his son. In this way, the aged monk, living with great attachment? to his son, one day went to the Buddha, paid homage, and sat to one side. Then the Buddha, addressing the aged monk, asked if this son of his was very helpful to him.

Kā

Then the aged monk replied, "Lord, Blessed One, this son of mine is very helpful to me. In every one of my sorrows and joys, he is my support." Then the Buddha said, "Monk, this son was helpful to you not only now, but also in the past," and he told the story of the past.

In the distant past, while King Brahmadatta was ruling in the city of Varanasi, the Bodhisatta was born into a certain family, came of age, went forth into the ascetic life, and was living in the Himalayan forest. At that time, a certain aged ascetic was living in a hermitage nearby with his son. That son-ascetic also served his father with great devotion.

One day, the aged ascetic became very tired. Then the son, out of compassion for his father, brought forest roots and fruits, prepared them, and gave them to him, restoring his father's health. At that time, the Bodhisatta, seeing the virtues of both the ascetic father and his son, gave them advice and instruction. In this way, the Buddha, having brought forth this Jataka sermon, declared the Four Noble Truths.