[343] "Once in the past, Kevaṭṭa, in this very Saṅgha of bhikkhus, there arose in the mind of a certain bhikkhu this reflection: 'Where now do these four great elements (mahābhūta) cease without remainder — namely, the earth element (paṭhavīdhātu), the water element (āpodhātu), the fire element (tejodhātu), and the air element (vāyodhātu)?' Then, Kevaṭṭa, that bhikkhu attained a concentration (samādhi) of such a kind that, when his mind (citta) was concentrated, the path leading to the devas appeared. Then, Kevaṭṭa, that bhikkhu approached the devas of the realm of the Four Great Kings (Cātummahārājikā devā), and having approached, said to those devas: 'Friends, where do these four great elements cease without remainder — namely, the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element?' When this was said, Kevaṭṭa, the devas of the realm of the Four Great Kings said to that bhikkhu: 'We too, bhikkhu, do not know where these four great elements cease without remainder — namely, the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element. But there are, bhikkhu, the Four Great Kings, who are more excellent and more sublime than we; they would know where these four great elements cease without remainder — namely, the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element.' Then, Kevaṭṭa, the bhikkhu approached the Four Great Kings, and having approached, said to the Four Great Kings: 'Friends, where do these four great elements cease without remainder — namely, the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element?' When this was said, Kevaṭṭa, the Four Great Kings said to that bhikkhu: 'We too, bhikkhu, do not know where … the air element. But there are, bhikkhu, the devas called Tāvatiṃsa, who are more excellent and more sublime than we; they would know where these four … the air element.' Then, Kevaṭṭa, the bhikkhu approached the Tāvatiṃsa devas, and having approached, said to the Tāvatiṃsa devas: 'Friends, where do these four great elements cease without remainder — namely, the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element?' When this was said, Kevaṭṭa, the Tāvatiṃsa devas said to that bhikkhu: 'We too, bhikkhu, do not know where these … the air element. But there is, bhikkhu, Sakka, lord of devas, who is more excellent and more sublime than we; he would know where these four … the air element.' Then, Kevaṭṭa, that bhikkhu approached Sakka, lord of devas, and having approached, said to Sakka, lord of devas: 'Friend, where do the four great elements cease without remainder — namely, the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element?' When this was said, Kevaṭṭa, Sakka, lord of devas, said to that bhikkhu: 'I too, bhikkhu, do not know where these four … the air element. But there are, bhikkhu, the devas called Yāma … the young deva (devaputta) named Suyāma … the devas called Tusita … the young deva named Santusita … the devas called Nimmānaratī … the young deva named Sunimmita … the devas called Paranimmitavasavattī … the young deva named Paranimmitavasavatti, who is more excellent and more sublime than we; he would know where these four great elements cease without remainder — namely, the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.