5.
The Discourse on Victory by Well-Spoken Words
251.
At Sāvatthī.
"Once in the past, monks, there was a battle between the gods and the titans that was fully engaged.
Then, monks, Vepacitti, the lord of titans, said this to Sakka, the lord of the gods -
'Let there be victory by well-spoken words, lord of the gods.'
'Let there be victory by well-spoken words, Vepacitti.'
Then, monks, the gods and the titans appointed councillors -
'These will know for us what is well-spoken and what is ill-spoken.'
Then, monks, Vepacitti, the lord of titans, said this to Sakka, the lord of the gods -
'Speak a verse, lord of the gods.'
When this was said, monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, said this to Vepacitti, the lord of titans -
'You indeed here, Vepacitti, are the ancient gods.
Speak a verse, Vepacitti.'
When this was said, monks, Vepacitti, the lord of titans, spoke this verse -
Therefore with a strong punishment the wise man should restrain the fool."
When the verse was spoken by Vepacitti, the lord of titans, monks, the titans gave thanks, the gods were silent. Then, monks, Vepacitti, the lord of titans, said this to Sakka, the lord of the gods - 'Speak a verse, lord of the gods.' When this was said, monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, spoke this verse -
Who, knowing the other to be enraged, mindfully remains calm."
When the verse was spoken by Sakka, the lord of the gods, monks, the gods gave thanks, the titans were silent. Then, monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, said this to Vepacitti, the lord of titans - 'Speak a verse, Vepacitti.' When this was said, monks, Vepacitti, the lord of titans, spoke this verse -
When the fool thinks, 'He endures me out of fear,'
The imprudent one attacks even more, as a bull does one who flees."
When the verse was spoken by Vepacitti, the lord of titans, monks, the titans gave thanks, the gods were silent. Then, monks, Vepacitti, the lord of titans, said this to Sakka, the lord of the gods - 'Speak a verse, lord of the gods.' When this was said, monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, spoke these verses -
Among benefits, one's own welfare is paramount, nothing greater than patience is found.
That they call the supreme patience; the weak one always forbears.
For one who is strong, protected by the Teaching, there is no one to speak against him.
Not responding with anger to one who is angry, one wins a battle hard to win.
Knowing the other to be enraged, one who is mindful becomes calm.
The people who consider him a fool are unskilled in the Teaching.”
"Now when, monks, these verses were spoken by Sakka, the lord of the gods, the gods gave thanks, the titans were silent. Then, monks, the retinue of the gods and the titans said this - 'The verses were spoken by Vepacitti, the lord of the titans. And those involve punishment and weapons, thus quarrel, thus strife, thus dispute. The verses were spoken by Sakka, the lord of the gods. And those do not involve punishment and do not involve weapons, thus no quarrel, thus no strife, thus no dispute. Victory to Sakka, the lord of the gods, by his well-spoken words.' Thus indeed, monks, there was victory to Sakka, the lord of the gods, by his well-spoken words."