[671] "Bhikkhus, as swift as is the speed of that man, the speed of the moon and sun is swifter than that. And, bhikkhus, as swift as is the speed of that man, and as is the speed of the moon and sun, the speed of those deities (devatā) who run before the moon and sun is swifter than that.¹ And, bhikkhus, as swift as is the speed of that man, as is the speed of the moon and sun, and as is the speed of those deities who run before the moon and sun,² swifter still than that do the vital formations (āyusaṅkhāra) perish.
"Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train thus: 'We shall dwell heedful (appamatta).' Thus indeed, bhikkhus, should you train."
The Sixth [Sutta].
[Editorial note in the Siam Raṭṭha edition: ¹⁻² In the Burmese (Ma.) and European (Yu.) editions, the two readings "tato sīghataro … devatānaṃ javo" do not occur.]
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.