[8] Then, Bhaggava, a certain chief minister of the Licchavis rose from his seat and said to that assembly: 'Well then, sirs, wait just a moment while I go. Perhaps I may be able to bring the naked ascetic (acela) Pāṭikaputta to this assembly.'
Then, Bhaggava, that Licchavi chief minister approached the naked ascetic Pāṭikaputta at the Tiṇḍukakhānu Wanderers' Park, and having approached, he said to the naked ascetic Pāṭikaputta: 'Come forth, friend Pāṭikaputta! It is better for you to come forth. The well-known … have come forth, and the well-known … [abridged] … The ascetic Gotama too is sitting for the day's abiding in the venerable one's park. Moreover, friend Pāṭikaputta, this speech was spoken by you before the assembly at Vesālī: "The ascetic Gotama is one who speaks from knowledge (ñāṇavāda); I too am one who speaks from knowledge … I will perform double that, double that." Come forth, friend Pāṭikaputta, just half the way. Having come the very first of all, the ascetic Gotama is sitting for the day's abiding in the venerable one's park. Moreover, friend Pāṭikaputta, this speech was spoken by the ascetic Gotama before the assembly: "The naked ascetic Pāṭikaputta is incapable, without giving up that speech … of coming face to face with me … even his head would split apart." Come forth, friend Pāṭikaputta! By your very coming forth we shall give you the victory, and the ascetic Gotama the defeat.'
When this was said, Bhaggava, the naked ascetic Pāṭikaputta, saying 'I am coming, friend, I am coming, friend,' just wriggled about right there and could not rise even from his seat. Then, Bhaggava, that Licchavi chief minister said to the naked ascetic Pāṭikaputta: 'What is it with you, friend Pāṭikaputta? Are your buttocks stuck to the bench, or is the bench stuck to your buttocks? Saying "I am coming, friend, I am coming, friend," you just wriggle about right there and cannot rise even from your seat.' Though he was addressed even thus, Bhaggava, the naked ascetic Pāṭikaputta, saying 'I am coming, friend, I am coming, friend,' just wriggled about right there and could not rise even from his seat.
When, Bhaggava, the Licchavi chief minister knew, 'This naked ascetic Pāṭikaputta is defeated; saying "I am coming, friend, I am coming, friend," he just wriggles about right there and cannot rise even from his seat,' he then came to that assembly and announced thus: 'This naked ascetic Pāṭikaputta is defeated; saying "I am coming, friend, I am coming, friend," he just wriggles about right there and cannot rise even from his seat.'
When this was said, Bhaggava, I said to that assembly: 'Friends, the naked ascetic Pāṭikaputta is incapable, without giving up that speech, without giving up that mind (citta) … of coming face to face with me. Even if he should think thus, "Without giving up that speech … I might go face to face with the ascetic Gotama," even his head would split apart. Even if it should occur to the worthy Licchavis thus, "Let us bind the naked ascetic Pāṭikaputta with leather straps and drag him along with yoked oxen," either those straps would break, or Pāṭikaputta would. But the naked ascetic Pāṭikaputta is incapable, without giving up that speech … Even if he should think thus, "Without giving up that speech … I might go face to face with the ascetic Gotama," even his head would split apart.'
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.