Subha Todeyyaputta (q.v.) visits the Buddha at Sāvatthi and asks him various questions regarding the Dhamma, comparing it with the teachings of the brahmins regarding ultimate salvation. He admits that no one among the brahmins or the early sages had fully discerned and realised the qualities laid down by them for the attainment of merit and the achievement of right. He quotes Pokkharasāti as saying that those who, like Gotama, profess to transcend ordinary human beings and rise to the heights of Noble knowledge are idle boasters. The Buddha retorts that Pokkharasāti cannot even read the thoughts of his slave girl, Puṇṇikā. The Buddha then convinces Subha that he has discovered the way to union with Brahmā, and, at his request, teaches him this way, as being the four Sublime Abidings (Brahmavihāra). Subha acknowledges himself the Buddha’s follower. M.ii.196-209.