Bharadvaja apparently offered Shakyamuni the gruel in the mistaken assumption that he was reciting stanzas for a living. But Shakyamuni refused, saying, “I do not eat things offered as recompense for the recitation of stanzas. Such is not the Law of people who understand the true nature of things correctly. I reject food that is offered on condition of exchange. Food acquired as an offering through mendicant practices is the true food of Buddhas of the Law. True Buddhas who have acquired all virtues and who have destroyed all illusions and have entered the realm of tranquility should be offered food other than what is given for recitations. The Buddha gives the supreme field of good fortune to those who make offerings unconditionally.” (Page 151)