[205] "In that case, brahmin, listen and attend well; I shall speak."
"Yes, sir," the brahmin Kūṭadanta replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this: "Once in the past, brahmin, there was a king named Mahāvijita — rich, of great wealth, of great possessions, with abundant gold and silver, abundant means and requisites of pleasure, abundant money and grain, his treasury and storehouse full. Then, brahmin, as King Mahāvijita had gone into seclusion and was in private retreat, this reflection arose in his mind: 'I have obtained abundant human wealth; I dwell having conquered a vast circle of the earth. What if I were to offer a great sacrifice — one that would be for my welfare and happiness for a long time?' Then, brahmin, King Mahāvijita had the brahmin high priest summoned and said this: 'Here, brahmin, as I had gone into seclusion and was in private retreat, this reflection arose in my mind: "I have obtained abundant human wealth; I dwell having conquered a vast circle of the earth. What if I were to offer a great sacrifice — one that would be for my welfare and happiness for a long time?" Brahmin, I wish to offer a great sacrifice. Let the worthy sir instruct me in what will be for my welfare and happiness for a long time.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.