[724] "What do you think, student? Suppose one were to kindle a fire in dependence on grass and wood as fuel, and one were to kindle a fire free of grass and wood as fuel — which fire would have flame, color, and radiance?"
"Master Gotama, if it were possible to kindle a fire free of grass and wood as fuel, that fire would have flame, color, and radiance."
"That is impossible, student; there is no way that one could kindle a fire free of grass and wood as fuel, except for one possessing psychic power (iddhi). Just as, student, a fire burns in dependence on grass and wood as fuel, comparable to that, student, I declare this rapture (pīti) which depends on the five cords of sensual pleasure (kāmaguṇa). Just as, student, a fire burns free of grass and wood as fuel, comparable to that, student, I declare this rapture which is apart from sensual pleasures, apart from unwholesome states. And what, student, is the rapture that is apart from sensual pleasures, apart from unwholesome states? Here, student, a bhikkhu, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, … enters and dwells in the first jhāna. This too, student, is a rapture apart from sensual pleasures, apart from unwholesome states. Furthermore, student, with the stilling of thought (vitakka) and examination (vicāra), … he enters and dwells in the second jhāna. This too, student, is a rapture apart from sensual pleasures, apart from unwholesome states."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.