1So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the Satullapa Group, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

2“Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
things get better, not worse.”

3Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

4“Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
wisdom is gained — but not from anyone else.”

5Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

6 “Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
you don’t sorrow even among those who sorrow.”

7Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

8“Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
you shine among your relatives.”

9Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

10“Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
sentient beings go to a good place.”

11Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

12“Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
sentient beings live happily.”

13Then another deity said to the Buddha: “Sir, who has spoken well?”

14“You’ve all spoken well in your own way. However, listen to me also:

15Associate only with the virtuous!
Try to get close to the virtuous!
Understanding the true teaching of the good,
you’re released from all suffering.”

16That is what the Buddha said. Then those deities, knowing that the teacher approved, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right, before vanishing right there.

1Evaṁ me sutaṁ — ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ vihārati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

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

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: 

2"Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
seyyo hoti na pāpiyo"ti.

3Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: 

4"Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
paññā labbhati nāññato"ti.

5Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: 

6"Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
sokamajjhe na socatī"ti.

7Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: 

8"Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
ñātimajjhe virocatī"ti.

9Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: 

10"Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
sattā gacchanti suggatin"ti.

11Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: 

12"Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
sattā tiṭṭhanti sātatan"ti.

13Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: "kassa nu kho, bhagavā, subhāsitan"ti?

14"Sabbāsaṁ vo subhāsitaṁ pariyāyena, api ca mamapi suṇātha – 

15Sabbhireva samāsetha,
sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
sabbadukkhā pamuccatī"ti.

16Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā tā devatāyo bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsūti.