[276] Then the Blessed One, when that night had passed, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, this night¹, when the night was far advanced, a certain young deva (devaputta) of surpassing beauty, illuminating the entire Jeta's Grove, approached me; having approached, he paid homage to me and stood to one side. Standing to one side, that young deva spoke these verses in my presence:
'This indeed is that Jeta's Grove, frequented by the community of seers (isisaṅgha),
dwelt in by the King of Dhamma (dhammarāja), a generator of rapture (pīti) for me.
Action (kamma), true knowledge (vijjā), and Dhamma, virtue (sīla), the supreme life —
by this are mortals purified, not by clan or by wealth.
Therefore indeed a wise person, discerning his own good,
should thoroughly investigate the Dhamma; thus is he purified therein.
Sāriputta truly, in wisdom (paññā), in virtue, and in inner peace (upasama) —
even a bhikkhu who has gone beyond (pāragata) could at best only be his equal.'
This, bhikkhus, is what that young deva said. Having said this, he paid homage to me, circumambulated me keeping me on his right, and vanished right there."
¹ The Po., Ma., and Yu. editions read *imaṃ*.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.