[476] "Bhikkhus, on the eighth day of the fortnight the ministers and councillors of the Four Great Kings wander over this world, [observing]: 'Are there many people among humans who behave dutifully toward their mothers, behave dutifully toward their fathers, behave dutifully toward ascetics, behave dutifully toward brahmins, who honor the elders of their families, who take up the Uposatha observance, keep the vigil, and make merit?'
Bhikkhus, on the fourteenth day of the fortnight the sons of the Four Great Kings wander over this world, [observing]: 'Are there many people among humans who behave dutifully toward their mothers, behave dutifully toward their fathers, behave dutifully toward ascetics, behave dutifully toward brahmins, who honor the elders of their families, who take up the Uposatha observance, keep the vigil, and make merit?'
Bhikkhus, on that Uposatha day of the fifteenth the Four Great Kings themselves in person wander over this world, [observing]: 'Are there many people among humans who behave dutifully toward their mothers, behave dutifully toward their fathers, behave dutifully toward ascetics, behave dutifully toward brahmins, who honor the elders of their families, who take up the Uposatha observance, keep the vigil, and make merit?'
If, bhikkhus, few are the people among humans who behave dutifully toward their mothers, behave dutifully toward their fathers, behave dutifully toward ascetics, behave dutifully toward brahmins, who honor the elders of their families, who take up the Uposatha observance, keep the vigil, and make merit, then, bhikkhus, the Four Great Kings report this to the Tāvatiṃsa devas seated assembled together in the Sudhammā Hall: 'Dear sirs, few are the people among humans who behave dutifully toward their mothers, behave dutifully toward their fathers, behave dutifully toward ascetics, behave dutifully toward brahmins, who honor the elders of their families, who take up the Uposatha observance, keep the vigil, and make merit.' Thereupon, bhikkhus, the Tāvatiṃsa devas are displeased, [saying]: 'Alas, sirs, the divine hosts will decline, and the hosts of asuras will be filled up!'
But if, bhikkhus, many are the people among humans who behave dutifully toward their mothers, behave dutifully toward their fathers, behave dutifully toward ascetics, behave dutifully toward brahmins, who honor the elders of their families, who take up the Uposatha observance, keep the vigil, and make merit, then, bhikkhus, the Four Great Kings report this to the Tāvatiṃsa devas seated assembled together in the Sudhammā Hall: 'Dear sirs, many are the people among humans who behave dutifully toward their mothers, behave dutifully toward their fathers, behave dutifully toward ascetics, behave dutifully toward brahmins, who honor the elders of their families, who take up the Uposatha observance, keep the vigil, and make merit.' Thereupon, bhikkhus, the Tāvatiṃsa devas are pleased, [saying]: 'Sirs, the divine hosts will be filled up, and the hosts of asuras will decline!'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.