[289] Thus have I heard. At one time the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now on that occasion the venerable Kumārakassapa was dwelling in the Andhavana (Blind Men's Grove). Then a certain deity, when the night was far advanced, of surpassing beauty, lighting up the whole Andhavana, approached the venerable Kumārakassapa; having approached, she stood to one side. Standing to one side, that deity said this to the venerable Kumārakassapa:
"Bhikkhu, bhikkhu, this anthill smokes by night and blazes by day. The brahmin said thus: 'Dig, wise one (sumedha), taking the knife.' Digging with the knife, the wise one saw a bar: 'A bar, venerable sir.' The brahmin said thus: 'Lift out the bar; dig, wise one, taking the knife.' Digging with the knife, the wise one saw a toad: 'A toad, venerable sir.' The brahmin said thus: 'Lift out the toad; dig, wise one, taking the knife.' Digging with the knife, the wise one saw a forked path: 'A forked path, venerable sir.' The brahmin said thus: 'Lift out the forked path; dig, wise one, taking the knife.' Digging with the knife, the wise one saw a strainer for lye: 'A strainer for lye, venerable sir.' [The brahmin said thus:] 'Lift out the strainer for lye; dig, wise one, taking the knife.' Digging with the knife, the wise one saw a tortoise: 'A tortoise, venerable sir.' The brahmin said thus: 'Lift out the tortoise; dig, wise one, taking the knife.' Digging with the knife, the wise one saw a butcher's knife and block: 'A butcher's knife and block, venerable sir.' The brahmin said thus: 'Lift out the butcher's knife and block; dig, wise one, taking the knife.' Digging with the knife, the wise one saw a piece of flesh: 'A piece of flesh, venerable sir.' The brahmin said thus: 'Lift out the piece of flesh; dig, wise one, taking the knife.' Digging with the knife, the wise one saw a nāga: 'A nāga, venerable sir.' The brahmin said thus: 'Let the nāga remain; do not harass the nāga; pay homage to the nāga.'
"Bhikkhu, you should approach the Blessed One and ask him these fifteen questions, and as the Blessed One answers them, so should you bear them in mind. Bhikkhu, I do not see anyone in the world with its gods, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, in this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, with its gods and humans, who could satisfy the mind with the answering of these questions, except the Tathāgata, or a disciple of the Tathāgata, or one who has heard it from here."
Thus spoke that deity, and having spoken thus, she vanished right there.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.