While on a visit to a village in the kingdom of Kosala, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Nanda, the herdsman.

Nanda looked after the cows of Anathapindika and, though only a herdsman, had some means of his own. He would occasionally visit Anathapindika's house, where he sometimes met the Buddha and listened to his discourses, and he asked the Buddha to visit his own home. The Buddha replied that the time had not yet come.

Some time later, while travelling with his followers, the Buddha went out of his way to visit Nanda, knowing the time had now come for him to receive the teaching properly. Nanda received the Buddha and his followers with great respect, serving them milk, milk products, and other choice food for seven days.

On the last day, after hearing the Buddha's discourse, Nanda attained the fruit of stream-entry. As the Buddha departed, Nanda, carrying his bowl, followed him some distance before paying his respects and turning back toward home.

At that very moment, a stray arrow shot by a hunter killed him. The monks following behind the Buddha found Nanda lying dead and reported it, saying that because the Buddha had come, Nanda, who had made such great offerings and accompanied him, had been killed while returning home.

The Buddha replied, "Monks, whether I came here or not, there was no escape from death for him, because of his previous kamma."