7.
The Discourse on the Time
37.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu in the Great Wood together with a large Community of monks, about five hundred monks, all of them Worthy Ones;
and deities from ten world systems had for the most part gathered together to see the Blessed One and the Community of monks.
Then this occurred to four deities belonging to the Pure Abodes -
"This Blessed One is dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu in the Great Wood together with a large Community of monks, about five hundred monks, all of them Worthy Ones;
and deities from ten world systems had for the most part gathered together to see the Blessed One and the Community of monks.
What if we too were to approach the Blessed One;
having approached, we should each speak a verse in the presence of the Blessed One."
Then those deities - just as a strong man might extend his bent arm or bend his extended arm, even so - having vanished from among the Pure Abode gods, appeared before the Blessed One. Then those deities, having paid respect to the Blessed One, stood to one side. Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
We have come to this Teaching assembly, to see the unconquered Community."
Then another deity spoke this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
Like a charioteer having taken the reins, the wise ones guard their faculties."
Then another deity spoke this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
They walk about pure, spotless, well tamed by the one with vision, young elephants."
Then another deity spoke this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
On discarding the human body, will fill the host of gods."