[310] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Āḷavī, in the haunt of the yakkha Āḷavaka. Then the yakkha Āḷavaka approached the Blessed One and said to him: "Get out, ascetic!" "Very well, friend," said the Blessed One, and he went out. "Come in, ascetic!" "Very well, friend," said the Blessed One, and he went in. A second time the yakkha Āḷavaka said to the Blessed One: "Get out, ascetic!" "Very well, friend," said the Blessed One, and he went out. "Come in, ascetic!" "Very well, friend," said the Blessed One, and he went in. A third time the yakkha Āḷavaka said to the Blessed One: "Get out, ascetic!" "Very well, friend," said the Blessed One, and he went out. "Come in, ascetic!" "Very well, friend," said the Blessed One, and he went in. A fourth time the yakkha Āḷavaka said to the Blessed One: "Get out, ascetic!" "I will not go out, friend. Do what you must do."
"I will ask you a question, ascetic. If you do not answer me, I will derange your mind (citta), or split your heart, or seize you by the feet and hurl you across the Gaṅgā."
"I do not see anyone in this world with its devas, with Māra, with Brahmā, in this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, with its devas and humans, who could derange my mind, or split my heart, or seize me by the feet and hurl me across the Gaṅgā. But still, friend, ask whatever you wish."
Then the yakkha Āḷavaka addressed the Blessed One in verse:
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.