“Mendicants, in some past lives the Realized One was reborn as a human being. His speech was meaningful and principled. He educated many people, bringing welfare and happiness, offering the teaching. Due to performing those deeds he was reborn in a heavenly realm. When he came back to this state of existence he obtained these two marks: his feet are arched and his hairs stand up.

Possessing these marks, if he stays at home he becomes a wheel-turning monarch. And what does he obtain as king? He is the foremost, best, chief, highest, and finest of those who enjoy sensual pleasures. That’s what he obtains as king. And what does he obtain as Buddha? He is the foremost, best, chief, highest, and finest of all sentient beings. That’s what he obtains as Buddha.” That is what the Buddha said.

On this it is said:

“His word was meaningful and principled,
moving the people with his explanations.
He brought welfare and happiness to creatures,
unstintingly offering up teaching.

Because of that good deed,
he went to heaven, and there rejoiced.
On return to here two marks are found,
of excellence and supremacy.

His hairs stand upright,
and his ankles stand out well.
Swollen with flesh and blood, and wrapped in skin,
they make it pretty above the feet.

If such a one lives in the home,
he becomes best of those who enjoy sensual pleasures.
There’ll be none better than him;
he’ll live having mastered all India.

But going forth the peerless renunciate
becomes best of all creatures.
There’ll be none better than him,
he’ll live having mastered the whole world.”