[196] "Then, venerable sir, the gods of the Tāvatiṃsa sat down each on his own seat, saying: 'We shall find out what this light is; only when we have realized what its result will be shall we go to it.' The Four Great Kings, too, sat down each on his own seat, saying: 'We shall find out what this light is; only when we have realized what its result will be shall we go to it.' Having heard this, the gods of the Tāvatiṃsa settled into unanimity, thinking: 'We shall find out what this light is; only when we have realized what its result will be shall we go to it.'
"When, venerable sir, Brahmā Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the Tāvatiṃsa, he appears having conjured up a gross bodily form; for the natural appearance (pakativaṇṇa) of a Brahmā is beyond attainment within the range of vision of the gods of the Tāvatiṃsa. When, venerable sir, Brahmā Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the Tāvatiṃsa, he outshines the other gods in beauty and in glory. Just as, venerable sir, a figure of gold outshines the human figure, even so, venerable sir, when Brahmā Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the Tāvatiṃsa, he outshines the other gods in beauty and in glory. When, venerable sir, Brahmā Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the Tāvatiṃsa, no god in that assembly salutes him, or rises up for him, or invites him to a seat; all sit silently upon their couches with palms joined in reverence, thinking: 'On the couch of whatever god Brahmā Sanaṅkumāra now wishes, on that god's couch will he sit.' And the god, venerable sir, on whose couch Brahmā Sanaṅkumāra sits gains a lofty attainment of delight (vedapaṭilābha), that god gains a lofty attainment of joy. Just as, venerable sir, a khattiya king, anointed upon the head, newly anointed with kingship, gains a lofty attainment of delight and gains a lofty attainment of joy, even so, venerable sir, the god on whose couch Brahmā Sanaṅkumāra sits gains a lofty attainment of delight, that god gains a lofty attainment of joy.
"Then, venerable sir, Brahmā Sanaṅkumāra, having conjured up a gross bodily form, having become of youthful appearance as Pañcasikha, appeared to the gods of the Tāvatiṃsa. Rising up into the air, he sat cross-legged in the sky, in space. Just as, venerable sir, a strong man might sit cross-legged upon a well-spread couch or upon a piece of even ground, even so, venerable sir, Brahmā Sanaṅkumāra, rising up into the air, having sat down cross-legged in the sky, in space, and knowing the serene gladness of the gods of the Tāvatiṃsa, rejoiced with these verses:"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.