The Tipiṭaka in Three Languages

Mahārathavagga

Suttapiṭaka · Khuddakanikāya · Vimānavatthu · Petavatthu · Theragāthā · Therīgāthā · Vol. 26 · Section 58

[58] 8. "Lofty is this mansion (vimāna) with pillars of gems, twelve yojanas all around, … and your beauty shines in every direction." That young deva (devaputta), delighted when questioned by Moggallāna, … of what deed this is the fruit: "What one gives does not come to be that very thing; yet whatever one may give, that very thing turns out better: a needle given is better than the needle itself. Because of that my beauty is such, … and my beauty shines in every direction." (4) The Needle Mansion (Sūcivimāna), the eighth.

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.

This passage also appears in 3 other places