[912] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī, in the Great Wood (Mahāvana), in the Hall with the Peaked Roof (Kūṭāgārasālā).
Then Mahalī the Licchavi approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Mahalī the Licchavi said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, have you seen Sakka, lord of the devas (devānaminda)?"
"I have indeed seen Sakka, lord of the devas, Mahalī."
"Surely, venerable sir, that must have been a counterfeit of Sakka (sakkapaṭirūpaka); for Sakka, lord of the devas, is hard to see, venerable sir."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.