[581] When this was said, the general Viḍūḍabha said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, will those gods who are subject to affliction (sabyāpajjha), who come back to this state of existence (itthattaṃ), make those gods who are free from affliction, who do not come back to this state of existence, fall from that place, or drive them out from it?"
Then it occurred to the Venerable Ānanda: "This general Viḍūḍabha is the son of King Pasenadi of Kosala, and I am the son of the Blessed One. Now is the time for son to confer with son." Then the Venerable Ānanda addressed the general Viḍūḍabha: "Well then, General, I shall question you in return on this very point; answer it as seems fit to you. What do you think, General? As far as the realm of King Pasenadi of Kosala extends, and wherein King Pasenadi of Kosala exercises rule as sovereign lord — is King Pasenadi of Kosala able, there, to make an ascetic or a brahmin, whether meritorious or without merit, whether living the holy life or not living the holy life, fall from that place, or to drive him out from it?"
"Sir, as far as the realm of King Pasenadi of Kosala extends, and wherein King Pasenadi of Kosala exercises rule as sovereign lord — King Pasenadi of Kosala is able, there, to make an ascetic or a brahmin, whether meritorious or without merit, whether living the holy life or not living the holy life, fall from that place, or to drive him out from it."
"What do you think, General? As far as extends what is not the realm of King Pasenadi of Kosala, and wherein King Pasenadi of Kosala does not exercise rule as sovereign lord — is King Pasenadi of Kosala able, there, to make an ascetic or a brahmin, whether meritorious or without merit, whether living the holy life or not living the holy life, fall from that place, or to drive him out from it?"
"Sir, as far as extends what is not the realm of King Pasenadi of Kosala, and wherein King Pasenadi of Kosala does not exercise rule as sovereign lord — King Pasenadi of Kosala is not able, there, to make an ascetic or a brahmin, whether meritorious or without merit, whether living the holy life or not living the holy life, fall from that place, or to drive him out from it."
"What do you think, General? Have you heard of the Tāvatiṃsa gods?"
"Yes, sir, I have heard of the Tāvatiṃsa gods; and even now the honorable King Pasenadi of Kosala has heard of the Tāvatiṃsa gods."
"What do you think, General? Is King Pasenadi of Kosala able to make the Tāvatiṃsa gods fall from that place, or to drive them out from it?"
"Sir, King Pasenadi of Kosala is not able even to see the Tāvatiṃsa gods; how then will he make them fall from that place, or drive them out from it?"
"Even so, General, those gods who are subject to affliction, who come back to this state of existence — those gods are not able even to see those gods who are free from affliction, who do not come back to this state of existence; how then will they make them fall from that place, or drive them out from it?"
Then King Pasenadi of Kosala said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, what is this bhikkhu's name?"
"His name is Ānanda, great king."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.