[322] Then, bhikkhus, Brahmā Sahampati, having known with his own mind the reflection in my mind, thought: "Alas, the world is lost! Alas, the world perishes! — in that the mind (citta) of the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Fully Self-Awakened One, inclines to dwelling at ease, not to teaching the Dhamma." Then, bhikkhus, just as a strong man might stretch out his bent arm or bend back his outstretched arm, so Brahmā Sahampati vanished from the Brahmā world and appeared before me. Then, bhikkhus, Brahmā Sahampati, having arranged his upper robe over one shoulder and raised his joined palms in reverence toward me, said this to me: "Venerable sir, let the Blessed One teach the Dhamma; let the Sugata teach the Dhamma. There are beings with little dust in their eyes; through not hearing the Dhamma they are wasting away. There will be those who understand the Dhamma." This, bhikkhus, is what Brahmā Sahampati said. Having said this, he further said this:
"There appeared in the past among the Magadhans
an impure doctrine, devised by those still stained.
Throw open this door to the Deathless!
Let them hear the Dhamma awakened to by the Stainless One.
Just as one standing upon a rocky mountain peak
might behold the people all around,
even so, O One of Great Wisdom, O All-Seeing One,
ascend the palace made of Dhamma;
yourself free of sorrow, look down upon the people
sunk in sorrow, overcome by birth and aging.
Rise up, O hero, victor in battle,
caravan leader, free of debt, wander in the world.
Let the Blessed One teach the Dhamma;
there will be those who understand."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.