[262] When this was said, a certain bhikkhu said this to the Blessed One: "What, venerable sir, is reckoned as going to a good destination (sugati) for the devas? What, venerable sir, is reckoned as a gain well gained for the devas? And what, venerable sir, is reckoned as being well established for the devas?"
"The human state, bhikkhus, is reckoned as going to a good destination for the devas. When one who has become a human being gains faith in the Dhamma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathāgata — this, bhikkhus, is reckoned as a gain well gained for the devas. And when that faith of his is settled, rooted, established, and firm, not to be taken away by any ascetic or brahmin, by any deva, Māra, or Brahmā, or by anyone in the world — this, bhikkhus, is reckoned as being well established for the devas."
When a deva passes away from a company of devas
through the exhaustion of his life span,
three cries issue forth
from the devas as they rejoice:
"Go from here, good sir, to a good destination,
to the companionship of human beings.
Having become a human being, gain
unsurpassed faith in the true Dhamma (saddhamma).
May that faith of yours, when you are settled in it —
rooted and established —
be unshakable for as long as life lasts
in the true Dhamma well proclaimed.
Having abandoned misconduct by body,
and misdeeds by speech as well,
having abandoned misconduct by mind
and whatever else is reckoned a fault,
having done much that is wholesome by body,
and much that is wholesome by speech,
having done what is wholesome by mind —
measureless, free from acquisitions (nirūpadhi) —
then, having made abundant through giving
that merit productive of acquisitions (opadhika),
establish other mortals as well
in the true Dhamma, in the holy life."
With this compassion, when the devas
know that a deva is passing away,
they rejoice over him:
"Come, deva, again and again."
The Fourth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.