[617] There, bhikkhus, Brahmā, Brahmā's assembly, and the members of Brahmā's retinue (brahmapārisajjā) were filled with wonder and amazement of mind: "Wonderful indeed, sirs! Marvellous indeed, sirs — the great spiritual power and the great might of the ascetic (samaṇa)!"
Then, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu Abhibhū said this to the Blessed One Sikhī, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One: "I recall, venerable sir, having spoken words such as these in the midst of the Saṅgha of bhikkhus (bhikkhusaṅgha): 'Friends, standing in the brahmā world, I am able to make my voice heard throughout the thousandfold world system (sahassī lokadhātu).'"
"This is the time for that, brahmin! This is the time for that, brahmin! Standing in the brahmā world, brahmin, you should make your voice heard throughout the thousandfold world system."
"Yes, venerable sir," bhikkhus, the bhikkhu Abhibhū replied to the Blessed One Sikhī, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, and, standing in the brahmā world, he recited these verses:
"Arouse yourselves! Strive forth!
Apply yourselves to the Buddha's Teaching (buddhasāsana).
Sweep away the army of Death (Maccu)
as an elephant does a house of reeds.
Whoever shall dwell heedful
in this Dhamma and Discipline (dhammavinaya),
having abandoned the round of births (jātisaṃsāra),
shall make an end of suffering (dukkha)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.