[739] Then, when that night had passed, the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, this night, when the night was far advanced, a certain deity (devaputta) of surpassing beauty, illuminating the whole of Jeta's Grove, approached me; having approached and paid homage to me, he stood to one side. Standing to one side, that deity addressed me with these verses:
'This Jetavana is beneficial,
frequented by the community of seers (isi),
dwelt in by the King of Dhamma —
it produces rapture (pīti) in me.
Action (kamma), true knowledge (vijjā), and dhammas,
virtue (sīla), the highest life:
by these are mortals purified,
not by clan nor by wealth.
Therefore indeed a wise person,
seeing his own good,
should investigate the Dhamma thoroughly;
thus is one purified therein.
Sāriputta indeed, in wisdom,
in virtue, and in peace —
whatever bhikkhu has gone beyond (pāragata)
could at the utmost be his equal.'
Bhikkhus, that deity said this, and [thinking,] 'The Teacher approves of me,' he paid homage to me, circumambulated me keeping his right side towards me, and vanished right there."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.