[305] Bhikkhus, thereupon the fourth herd of deer considered together thus: 'The first herd of deer … Thus indeed the first herd of deer did not get free from the power and might of the sower (nevāpika). And the second herd of deer considered together thus: "The first herd of deer … Thus indeed the first herd of deer did not get free from the power and might of the sower. Suppose we … " Thus indeed the second herd of deer did not get free from the power and might of the sower. And the third herd of deer considered together thus: "The first herd of deer … Thus indeed the first herd of deer did not get free from the power and might of the sower. And the second herd of deer considered together thus: 'The first herd of deer … Thus indeed the first herd of deer did not get free from the power and might of the sower. Suppose we … ' Thus indeed the second herd of deer did not get free from the power and might of the sower. Suppose we were to set up a lair in dependence upon that sown crop (nivāpa) of the sower; and having set up a lair there, not encroaching upon that crop sown by the sower, we shall eat the food without infatuation; not encroaching, eating the food without infatuation, we shall not become intoxicated; not being intoxicated, we shall not become negligent; not being negligent, we shall not be liable to be dealt with as he wishes by the sower amid that sown crop." And they set up a lair in dependence upon that crop sown by the sower; and having set up a lair there, not encroaching upon that crop sown by the sower, they ate the food without infatuation; there, not encroaching, eating the food without infatuation, they did not become intoxicated; not being intoxicated, they did not become negligent; not being negligent, they were not liable to be dealt with as he wished by the sower amid that sown crop. Thereupon it occurred to the sower and the sower's company: "Crafty indeed are these deer of the third herd! Possessed of psychic power, surely, are these deer of the third herd — no ordinary creatures! … " And the sower and the sower's company saw the lair of the third herd of deer, where they might be seized. Thus indeed even the third herd of deer did not get free from the power and might of the sower. Suppose we, then, were to set up a lair where the sower and the sower's company cannot go; and having set up a lair there, not encroaching upon that crop sown by the sower, eating the food without infatuation, we shall not become intoxicated; not being intoxicated, we shall not become negligent; not being negligent, we shall not be liable to be dealt with as he wishes by the sower amid that sown crop.'
And they set up a lair where the sower and the sower's company could not go; and having set up a lair there, not encroaching upon that crop sown by the sower, they ate the food without infatuation; there, not encroaching, eating the food without infatuation, they did not become intoxicated; not being intoxicated, they did not become negligent; not being negligent, they were not liable to be dealt with as he wished by the sower amid that sown crop.
Thereupon, bhikkhus, it occurred to the sower and the sower's company: 'Crafty indeed are these deer of the fourth herd! Possessed of psychic power, surely, are these deer of the fourth herd — no ordinary creatures! For they eat this sown crop, and we know neither their coming nor their going. Suppose we were to surround this sown crop completely on all sides, together with its vicinity, with great stick-nets; perhaps we might see the lair of the fourth herd of deer, where they might be seized.' And they surrounded that sown crop completely on all sides, together with its vicinity, with great stick-nets. But, bhikkhus, the sower and the sower's company did not see the lair of the fourth herd of deer, where they might be seized. Thereupon, bhikkhus, it occurred to the sower and the sower's company: 'If we disturb the fourth herd of deer, then, being disturbed, they will disturb the others; and thus the deer will altogether forsake this sown crop. Suppose we were simply to look on with indifference at the fourth herd of deer.' And, bhikkhus, the sower and the sower's company looked on with indifference at the fourth herd of deer. Thus indeed, bhikkhus, the fourth herd of deer got free from the power and might of the sower.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.