[345] "Then, Kevaḍḍha, that bhikkhu approached the gods belonging to the retinue of Brahmā (brahmakāyikā devā); having approached, he said to the gods of Brahmā's retinue: 'Friends, where do these four … the air element … ?' When this was said, Kevaḍḍha, the gods of Brahmā's retinue said to that bhikkhu: 'Bhikkhu, we too do not know where these … the air element … . But, bhikkhu, there is Brahmā, the Great Brahmā, the Vanquisher, the Unvanquished, the All-Seeing, the Wielder of Power, the Lord, the Maker, the Creator, the Chief, the Ordainer, the Master, the Father of those who have been born and those who are yet to be born, who is more excellent and more sublime than we are. He would know where these four great elements (mahābhūta) cease without remainder—namely, the earth element (paṭhavīdhātu), the water element, the fire element, and the air element.'
'But friends, where is that Great Brahmā now?'
'Bhikkhu, we too do not know where Brahmā is, or in what direction Brahmā lies. But, bhikkhu, according as the signs are seen—light arises and radiance appears—Brahmā will appear; for this is the harbinger of the appearing of Brahmā, namely, that light arises and radiance appears.'
Then, Kevaḍḍha, not long afterwards, that Great Brahmā appeared."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.