[220] "Homage be to Vipassī, endowed with vision, the glorious one;
homage be also to Sikhī, compassionate toward all beings; …"
(The same repetition passage as given before is to be expanded in full here.)
"This, dear sir (mārisa), is that Āṭānāṭiya protection (āṭānāṭiyā rakkhā), for the guarding, the protection, the freedom from harm, and the dwelling at ease of the bhikkhus, the bhikkhunīs, the laymen (upāsaka), and the laywomen (upāsikā).
"Well then, dear sir, we shall now depart; we have many duties, much to be done."
"Now, Great Kings, is the time for whatever you think fit."
Then, bhikkhus, the four Great Kings rose from their seats, paid homage to me, circumambulated me keeping me on their right, and vanished right there. And those yakkhas too, bhikkhus, rose from their seats: some paid homage to me, circumambulated me keeping me on their right, and vanished right there; some exchanged greetings with me and, having concluded courteous and cordial talk, vanished right there; some raised their joined palms in reverence toward me and vanished right there; some announced their name and clan and vanished right there; and some, remaining silent, vanished right there.
"Learn, bhikkhus, the Āṭānāṭiya protection; master, bhikkhus, the Āṭānāṭiya protection; bear in mind, bhikkhus, the Āṭānāṭiya protection. This Āṭānāṭiya protection, bhikkhus, is beneficial: it is for the guarding, the protection, the freedom from harm, and the dwelling at ease of the bhikkhus, the bhikkhunīs, the laymen, and the laywomen."
Thus spoke the Blessed One. Elated, those bhikkhus delighted in the Blessed One's words.
The Āṭānāṭiya Sutta, the Ninth, is finished.
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Saṅgīti Sutta
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.