[900] The Blessed One said this: "Bhikkhus, once in the past a number of seers (isi), virtuous and of good character, settled in leaf huts on the shore of the sea. Now on that occasion, bhikkhus, a battle between the devas and the asuras was massed in array. Then, bhikkhus, this occurred to those seers who were virtuous and of good character: 'The devas are righteous; the asuras are unrighteous. There may well be danger from the asuras. Suppose we were to approach Sambara, lord of the asuras (asurinda), and beg a gift of safety (abhayadakkhiṇā).'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.