And the number of his followers grew and increased mightily, for not only the people but many of the noble youths of the Kingdom of Maghada joined themselves to this most noble young man, the Son of the Sakyas, so much so that some of the people were angry and said:
“The ascetic Gotama is come to bring childlessness and widowhood and the decay of families,” and they made a verse that was repeated in the streets:
“The great monk has come through the wood-ways:
he sits on the hill,
And whom will he steal from us next,
for he takes whom he will?”
And his disciples hearing this verse went to the Exalted One and repeated it, dwelling on the anger of some of the people. But the Perfect One smiled, for the young monks were angry.
“Seven days will this excitement last, monks, and for that time only. But if they taunt you with that verse, reply with this:
“The heroes, the Perfect Ones, lead by the Truth:—
and who calls it amiss?