MN86
Then Venerable Aṅgulimāla robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Then as he was wandering indiscriminately for almsfood he saw a woman undergoing a distressing obstructed labor.( Mūḷha here has the sense of “gone astray” in reference to obstructed labor that prevents birth; see Ud 2.8:1.4).Seeing this, it occurred to him, “Oh, beings undergo such travail! (Kilissanti here has the sense “undergo distress or travail”. Compare garbhakleśa in Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa 22.45 with the sense, “travails of childbirth”.)Oh, beings undergo such travail!”
Then after wandering for alms in Sāvatthī, after the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened. The Buddha said to him, “Well then, Aṅgulimāla, go to that woman and say this:
‘Ever since I was born, sister, I don’t recall having intentionally taken the life of a living creature. By this truth, may both you and your baby be safe.’” (The asseveration of truth—the belief that “by this truth” (tena saccena, also at Snp 2.14) effective results could be won—can be traced to Rig Veda 1.21.6 (tena satyena)).
“But sir, wouldn’t that be telling a deliberate lie? For I have intentionally killed many living creatures.”
“In that case, Aṅgulimāla, go to that woman and say this:
‘Ever since I was born in the noble birth, sister, I don’t recall having intentionally taken the life of a living creature. By this truth, may both you and your baby be safe.’” This is still used as a blessing for pregnant women in Theravada. | “Noble birth” is a unique way of referring to ordination. It echoes the upanayana initiation, where the teacher is said to become pregnant with the student and give birth to them as a brahmin (Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa 11.5.4; also see notes to MN 26:15.2 ff.).
“Yes, sir,” replied Aṅgulimāla. He went to that woman and said:
“Ever since I was born in the noble birth, sister, I don’t recall having intentionally taken the life of a living creature. By this truth, may both you and your baby be safe.”
Then that woman was safe, and so was her baby.