[848] The Blessed One said this: "Bhikkhus, once in the past the asuras (asurā) marched against the devas (devā). Then, bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, addressed the young deva (devaputta) Suvīra: 'Dear Suvīra, these asuras are marching against the devas. Go, dear Suvīra, launch a counter-march against the asuras.' 'So be it, good fortune to you!' the young deva Suvīra replied to Sakka, lord of the devas, bhikkhus; but he fell into negligence (pamāda).
"A second time, bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, addressed the young deva Suvīra: 'Dear Suvīra, these asuras are marching against the devas. Go, dear Suvīra, launch a counter-march against the asuras.' 'So be it, good fortune to you!' the young deva Suvīra replied to Sakka, lord of the devas, bhikkhus; but a second time he fell into negligence.
"A third time, bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, addressed the young deva Suvīra: 'Dear Suvīra, these asuras are marching against the devas. Go, dear Suvīra, launch a counter-march against the asuras.' 'So be it, good fortune to you!' the young deva Suvīra replied to Sakka, lord of the devas, bhikkhus; but a third time he fell into negligence."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.