Dhammapada 4.9.p2

4.9.p2

Thero kira sāyanhasamaye paṭisallīno cintesi – ‘‘bhagavatā mūlagandho, sāragandho, pupphagandhoti tayo uttamagandhā vuttā, tesaṃ anuvātameva gandho gacchati, no paṭivātaṃ. Atthi nu kho taṃ gandhajātaṃ, yassa paṭivātampi gandho gacchatī’’ti. Athassa etadahosi – ‘‘kiṃ mayhaṃ attanā vinicchitena, satthāraṃyeva pucchissāmī’’ti. So satthāraṃ upasaṅkamitvā pucchi. Tena vuttaṃ –

We are told that one evening, absorbed in meditation, the Elder pondered the following thought: "The Exalted One possesses the three perfumes of superlative excellence; namely, the perfume of sandal, the perfume of roots, and the perfume of flowers. Each of these perfumes, however, goes only with the wind. Is there possibly a substance whose perfume goes against the wind, or is there possibly a substance whose perfume goes both with the wind and against the wind?" Then the following thought occurred to him: "What is the use of my trying to determine this question all by myself? I will ask the Teacher, and the Teacher alone." Accordingly he approached the Teacher and put the question to him. Therefore it is said: