[6] Then, at the end of seven days, the Blessed One, having emerged from that concentration (samādhi), went from the foot of the Mucalinda tree to the Rājāyatana tree; and having approached, he sat at the foot of the Rājāyatana tree for seven days in a single cross-legged posture, experiencing the bliss of liberation.
Now at that time the merchants Tapussa and Bhallika, travelling on the high road from Ukkalā, had arrived at that region. Then a deity who had been a blood-relation of the merchants Tapussa and Bhallika said this to the merchants Tapussa and Bhallika: "Sirs, this Blessed One, newly and fully awakened, is dwelling at the foot of the Rājāyatana tree. Go and attend upon that Blessed One with barley-gruel cake (mantha) and honey-ball (madhupiṇḍikā); that will be for your welfare and happiness for a long time."
Then the merchants Tapussa and Bhallika, taking barley-gruel cake and honey-ball, approached the Blessed One; and having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, they stood to one side. Standing to one side, the merchants Tapussa and Bhallika said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, may the Blessed One accept from us this barley-gruel cake and honey-ball, that it may be for our welfare and happiness for a long time."
Then this occurred to the Blessed One: "Tathāgatas do not receive with their hands. In what, then, should I receive the barley-gruel cake and honey-ball?" Then the Four Great Kings, having known with their own minds the reflection in the Blessed One's mind, from the four quarters presented four bowls made of stone to the Blessed One, saying: "Venerable sir, may the Blessed One receive the barley-gruel cake and honey-ball herein." The Blessed One received the barley-gruel cake and honey-ball in a brand-new stone bowl, and having received them, he partook of them.
Then the merchants Tapussa and Bhallika said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, we here go to the Blessed One for refuge, and to the Dhamma. May the Blessed One remember us as lay followers (upāsaka) who have gone for refuge for life from this day forth." And they were the first lay followers in the world, by the twofold declaration.
The Account of the Rājāyatana is concluded.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.