[950] Setting at Sāvatthī.
Bhikkhus, once in the past Vepacitti, lord of the asuras (asura), was sick, in pain, gravely ill. Then, bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, approached Vepacitti, lord of the asuras, to inquire about his illness. Vepacitti, lord of the asuras, saw Sakka, lord of the devas, coming in the distance; having seen him, he said this to Sakka, lord of the devas: "Cure me, lord of the devas." "Teach me, Vepacitti, the Sambari magic (sambarimāyā)." "I shall not teach it, dear sir (mārisa), until I have asked the asuras." Then, bhikkhus, Vepacitti, lord of the asuras, asked the asuras: "Dear sirs, shall I teach the Sambari magic to Sakka, lord of the devas?" "Dear sir, do not teach the Sambari magic to Sakka, lord of the devas."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.