[173] Then Sunīdha and Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, approached the Blessed One; and having approached, they exchanged greetings with the Blessed One. When the courteous and amiable talk was concluded, they stood to one side. Standing to one side, Sunīdha and Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, said this to the Blessed One: "May Master Gotama, together with the Saṅgha of bhikkhus, consent to accept our meal today." The Blessed One consented by silence. Then Sunīdha and Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, understanding the Blessed One's consent, went to their own rest house; and having had excellent food, both hard and soft, prepared in their own rest house, they announced the time to the Blessed One: "It is time, Master Gotama; the meal is ready." Then the Blessed One, having dressed in the morning, taking his bowl and robe, went together with the Saṅgha of bhikkhus to the rest house of Sunīdha and Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha; and having arrived, he sat down on the seat made ready. Then Sunīdha and Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, with their own hands served and satisfied the Saṅgha of bhikkhus headed by the Buddha with excellent food, both hard and soft. Then, when the Blessed One had finished eating and had withdrawn his hand from the bowl, Sunīdha and Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, took a certain low seat and sat down to one side. And as Sunīdha and Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, sat to one side, the Blessed One expressed his appreciation (anumodanā) to them with these verses:
"In whatever place a man of wise nature makes his dwelling,
having fed there the virtuous, the restrained who live the holy life (brahmacārī),
whatever deities are there — to them he should dedicate the offering (dakkhiṇā).
Honored, they honor him; revered, they revere him;
thereupon they show him kindness, as a mother her own son.
A man to whom the deities are kind always sees good fortune."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.