[59] "Bhikkhus, do not fear merits (puñña). This, bhikkhus, is a designation for happiness, namely, 'merits.' I know directly, bhikkhus, that for a long time I experienced the desirable, agreeable, pleasing result [of merits]. For seven years I developed a mind (citta) of loving-kindness. Having developed a mind of loving-kindness for seven years, for seven eons of world-contraction and world-expansion (saṃvaṭṭavivaṭṭakappa) I did not come back to this world. When the world was contracting, bhikkhus, I went to the [realm of the] Ābhassara devas; when the world was expanding, I arose in an empty Brahmā mansion. There, bhikkhus, I was Brahmā, the Great Brahmā, the conqueror, the unconquered, the all-seeing, the wielder of power. Thirty-six times, bhikkhus, I was Sakka, lord of the devas. Many hundreds of times I was a king, a wheel-turning monarch (cakkavattī), righteous, a king of Dhamma, conqueror of the four quarters, victorious, who had attained stability in his realm, endowed with the seven treasures. Mine, bhikkhus, were these seven treasures, namely: the wheel-treasure, the elephant-treasure, the horse-treasure, the gem-treasure, the woman-treasure, the householder-treasure, and the counsellor-treasure as the seventh. And I had, bhikkhus, more than a thousand sons — heroes, of heroic stature, crushers of enemy armies. Having conquered this earth bounded by the ocean, I dwelt over it by Dhamma, without rod, without weapon."
Behold the result of merits, of wholesome deeds,
for those who seek happiness. Having developed a mind
of loving-kindness for seven years, bhikkhus,
for seven eons of world-contraction and world-expansion
I did not come back to this world.
When the world was contracting,
I went to the [realm of the] Ābhassara devas;
when the world was expanding,
I went to an empty Brahmā [mansion].
Seven times I was then a Great Brahmā, a wielder of power;
thirty-six times, lord of the devas, I exercised divine kingship;
I was a king, a wheel-turning monarch, lord of Jambudīpa,
a head-anointed khattiya, sovereign over human beings.
Without rod, without weapon,
having conquered this earth,
I governed it by Dhamma, without violence, with impartiality.
Having exercised kingship by Dhamma over this circle of the earth,
I was born into a family of great wealth,
of great possessions, prosperous,
provided with all sense pleasures and with the seven treasures.
The Buddhas, benefactors of the world, have taught this well:
this is the cause of greatness whereby one is called lord of the earth.
I was a majestic king with abundant wealth and means;
possessed of success and fame, lord of Jambudīpa.
Who, hearing this, would not gain confidence —
even one of dark birth?
Therefore, one who desires his own good,
aspiring to greatness,
should revere the true Dhamma (saddhamma),
remembering the teaching of the Buddhas.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.