[67] When this was said, Dīgha Tapassī the Nigaṇṭha said to the Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta: "Venerable sir, it does not please me that the householder Upāli should refute the doctrine of the ascetic Gotama; for the ascetic Gotama, venerable sir, is possessed of magic (māyāvī): he knows a converting magic (āvaṭṭanī māyā) by which he converts the disciples of those of other sects."
"Tapassī, it is impossible, there is no chance, that the householder Upāli should come to discipleship under the ascetic Gotama; but it is indeed possible that the ascetic Gotama should come to discipleship under the householder Upāli. Go, householder, refute the doctrine of the ascetic Gotama on this topic of discussion; for either I, householder, might refute the doctrine of the ascetic Gotama, or Dīgha Tapassī the Nigaṇṭha, or you."
A second time Dīgha Tapassī the Nigaṇṭha said to the Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta: "Venerable sir, it does not please me that the householder Upāli should refute the doctrine of the ascetic Gotama; for the ascetic Gotama, venerable sir, is possessed of magic: he knows a converting magic by which he converts the disciples of those of other sects."
"Tapassī, it is impossible, there is no chance, that the householder Upāli should come to discipleship under the ascetic Gotama; but it is indeed possible that the ascetic Gotama should come to discipleship under the householder Upāli. Go, householder, refute the doctrine of the ascetic Gotama on this topic of discussion; for either I, householder, might refute the doctrine of the ascetic Gotama, or Dīgha Tapassī the Nigaṇṭha, or you."
A third time Dīgha Tapassī the Nigaṇṭha said to the Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta: "Venerable sir, it does not please me that the householder Upāli should refute the doctrine of the ascetic Gotama; for the ascetic Gotama, venerable sir, is possessed of magic: he knows a converting magic by which he converts the disciples of those of other sects."
"Tapassī, it is impossible, there is no chance, that the householder Upāli should come to discipleship under the ascetic Gotama; but it is indeed possible that the ascetic Gotama should come to discipleship under the householder Upāli. Go, householder, refute the doctrine of the ascetic Gotama on this topic of discussion; for either I, householder, might refute the doctrine of the ascetic Gotama, or Dīgha Tapassī the Nigaṇṭha, or you."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.