Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Atha kho sambahulā satullapakāyikā devatāyo abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.

Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the host of a hundred felicities, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side.

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Saddhā dutiyā purisassa hoti,

“Faith is a person’s partner.

No ce assaddhiyaṁ avatiṭṭhati;

If faithlessness doesn’t linger,

Yaso ca kittī ca tatvassa hoti,

fame and renown are theirs,

Saggañca so gacchati sarīraṁ vihāyā”ti.

and when they discard this corpse they go to heaven.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

Then another deity recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

“Kodhaṁ jahe vippajaheyya mānaṁ,

“Give up anger, get rid of conceit,

Saṁyojanaṁ sabbamatikkameyya;

and get past all the fetters.

Taṁ nāmarūpasmimasajjamānaṁ,

Chains don’t torment one who has nothing,

Akiñcanaṁ nānupatanti saṅgā”ti.

not clinging to name and form.”

“Pamādamanuyuñjanti,

“Fools and simpletons

bālā dummedhino janā;

devote themselves to negligence.

Appamādañca medhāvī,

But the wise protect diligence

dhanaṁ seṭṭhaṁva rakkhati.

as their best treasure.

Mā pamādamanuyuñjetha,

Don’t devote yourself to negligence,

mā kāmarati santhavaṁ;

or delight in erotic intimacy.

Appamatto hi jhāyanto,

For if you’re diligent and practice absorption,

pappoti paramaṁ sukhan”ti.

you’ll attain ultimate happiness.”