[71] Now at that time Sunīdha and Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, were building a city at Pāṭaligāma to ward off the Vajjīs. Then the Blessed One, rising in the last watch of the night, saw with the divine eye, purified and surpassing the human, many deities taking possession of building sites in Pāṭaligāma. In whatever locality deities of great power take possession of sites, there the minds (citta) of kings and royal ministers of great power incline to build their dwellings; in whatever locality deities of middling rank take possession of sites, there the minds of kings and royal ministers of middling rank incline to build their dwellings; in whatever locality deities of low rank take possession of sites, there the minds of kings and royal ministers of low rank incline to build their dwellings.
Then the Blessed One addressed the venerable Ānanda: "Ānanda, who are they that are building a city at Pāṭaligāma?"
"Sunīdha and Vassakāra, venerable sir, the chief ministers of Magadha, are building a city at Pāṭaligāma to ward off the Vajjīs."
"Ānanda, it is just as though they had taken counsel with the devas of Tāvatiṃsa: even so, Ānanda, do Sunīdha and Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, build a city at Pāṭaligāma to ward off the Vajjīs. Here, Ānanda, rising in the last watch of the night, I saw with the divine eye, purified and surpassing the human, many deities taking possession of building sites in Pāṭaligāma. In whatever locality deities of great power take possession of sites, there the minds of kings and royal ministers of great power incline to build their dwellings; in whatever locality deities of middling rank take possession of sites, there the minds of kings and royal ministers of middling rank incline to build their dwellings; in whatever locality deities of low rank take possession of sites, there the minds of kings and royal ministers of low rank incline to build their dwellings. As far, Ānanda, as the sphere of the Ariyans extends, as far as the paths of trade extend, this will be the foremost city, Pāṭaliputta, where the bales of merchandise are opened. But for Pāṭaliputta, Ānanda, there will be three perils: from fire, from water, and from within—the breaking of concord."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.