So I have heard. Evaṁ me sutaṁ—At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, in the Great Wood near Kapilavatthu, together with a large Saṅgha of five hundred mendicants, all of whom were perfected ones. ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ mahāvane mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi sabbeheva arahantehi; And most of the deities from ten solar systems had gathered to see the Buddha and the Saṅgha of mendicants. dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.

Then four deities of the Pure Abodes, aware of what was happening, thought: Atha kho catunnaṁ suddhāvāsakāyikānaṁ devatānaṁ etadahosi: “ayaṁ kho bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ mahāvane mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi sabbeheva arahantehi; dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca. “Why don’t we go to the Buddha and each recite a verse in his presence?” Yannūna mayampi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkameyyāma; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavato santike paccekaṁ gāthaṁ bhāseyyāmā”ti.

Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, they vanished from the Pure Abodes and reappeared in front of the Buddha. Atha kho tā devatā—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—suddhāvāsesu devesu antarahitā bhagavato purato pāturahesuṁ. They bowed to the Buddha and stood to one side. Atha kho tā devatā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“There’s a great congregation in the woods, “Mahāsamayo pavanasmiṁ, where hosts of gods have assembled. Devakāyā samāgatā; We’ve come to this righteous congregation Āgatamha imaṁ dhammasamayaṁ, to see the invincible Saṅgha!” Dakkhitāye aparājitasaṅghan”ti.

Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“The mendicants there have immersion, “Tatra bhikkhavo samādahaṁsu, they’ve straightened their own minds. Cittamattano ujukaṁ akaṁsu; Like a charioteer holding the reins, Sārathīva nettāni gahetvā, the astute ones protect their senses.” Indriyāni rakkhanti paṇḍitā”ti.

Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“They snapped the post and snapped the cross-bar, “Chetvā khīlaṁ chetvā palighaṁ, unstirred, they tore out Indra’s pillar. Indakhīlaṁ ūhacca manejā; They live pure and immaculate, Te caranti suddhā vimalā, the young giants tamed by the Clear-eyed One.” Cakkhumatā sudantā susunāgā”ti.

Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Anyone who has gone to the Buddha for refuge “Ye keci buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gatāse, won’t go to a plane of loss. Na te gamissanti apāyabhūmiṁ; After giving up this human body, Pahāya mānusaṁ dehaṁ, they swell the hosts of gods.” Devakāyaṁ paripūressantī”ti.