[507] Bhikkhus, King Yama questions, cross-examines, and presses that being concerning the first divine messenger (devadūta): "Good man, did you not see the first divine messenger appear among human beings?"
He says: "I did not see him, venerable sir."
Then, bhikkhus, King Yama says to him: "Good man, did you not see among human beings a young, tender infant lying on its back, fouled and wallowing in its own urine and excrement?"
He says: "I saw him, venerable sir."
Then, bhikkhus, King Yama says to him: "Good man, did it not occur to you, being intelligent and mature: 'I too am subject to birth; I am not exempt from birth. Come now, let me do good by body, speech, and mind'?"
He says: "I was unable, venerable sir; I was negligent, venerable sir."
Then, bhikkhus, King Yama says to him: "Good man, through negligence you did not do good by body, speech, and mind. Certainly, good man, they will deal with you in a manner befitting your negligence. But this evil deed of yours was not done by your mother, not done by your father, not done by your brother, not done by your sister, not done by friends and companions, not done by kinsmen and blood relations, not done by ascetics and brahmins, not done by deities: this evil deed was done by you yourself, and you yourself will experience its result."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.