[347] Then King Pasenadi of Kosala, having descended¹ from the palace, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Sitting to one side, King Pasenadi of Kosala said this to the Blessed One: "Here, venerable sir, when I had gone together with Queen Mallikā to the upper storey of the excellent palace, I said this to Queen Mallikā: 'Is there, Mallikā, anyone else dearer than your own self?' When this was said, venerable sir, Queen Mallikā said this to me: 'There is no one else, great king, dearer to me than my own self. But for you, great king — is there anyone else dearer than your own self?' When this was said, venerable sir, I said this to Queen Mallikā: 'For me too, Mallikā, there is no one else dearer than my own self.'"
¹ [Apparatus] Sī. reads otaritvā ("having come down").
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.