title: How to include docstrings/comments located in a module, but outside of class and methods in Sphinx
body: <p>I have a <code>utils</code> module in my package. It consists of several misc standalone methods that do not require instantiation.</p>
  
  <p>I would like to place some generic comments/docstring inside this <code>utils</code> file, such as:</p>
  
  <pre><code>import os
  import json
  
  """
  Miscellaneous methods that help in &lt;&lt;blah blah&gt;&gt;
  Does not require explicit instantiation.
  
  The following actions can be performed:
  ===============   ===============
  Action            Method
  ===============   ===============
  Get a             :meth:`methoda`
  Get b             :meth:`methodb`
  """
  
  def methoda(data):
      "Gets A ..."
      ...
  
  def methodb(data):
      "Gets B ..."
      ...
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>As seen above, the docstring has a table including links to the individual methods. Currently, my <code>index.rst</code> has this part to include <code>utils</code>:</p>
  
  <pre><code>Utilities
  ============
  .. automodule:: packagename.utils
     :members:
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Currently, I get the docstrings of the individual methods properly displayed in the documentation, but not the top-level docstring of the module (outside of any class or method). What is the best way to have have sphinx include the above? </p>
  
  <p>One option might be to move the top-level docstring outside of this file, such as to <code>index.rst</code> etc. But I would prefer not doing this, and retain it within the source file.</p>