1Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove.

Now at that time the Buddha had gone into retreat for the day’s meditation.

Then Sakka, lord of gods, and Verocana, lord of demons, approached the Buddha and stationed themselves one by each door-post. Then Verocana recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

2“A man should make an effort
until his goal is accomplished.
When goals are accomplished they shine:
this is the word of Verocana!”

3“A man should make an effort
until his goal is accomplished.
Of goals that shine when accomplished,
none better than patience is found.”

4“All beings are goal-orientated,
as befits them in each case.
But connection is the ultimate
of pleasures for all living creatures.
When goals are accomplished they shine:
this is the word of Verocana!”

5“All beings are goal-orientated,
as befits them in each case.
But connection is the ultimate
of pleasures for all living creatures.
Of goals that shine when accomplished,
none better than patience is found.”

1Sāvatthiyaṁ jetavane.

Tena kho pana samayena bhagavā divāvihāragato hoti paṭisallīno.

Atha kho sakko ca devānamindo verocano ca asurindo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā paccekaṁ dvārabāhaṁ nissāya aṭṭhaṁsu. Atha kho verocano asurindo bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: 

2"Vāyametheva puriso,
yāva atthassa nipphadā;
Nipphannasobhano attho,
verocanavaco idan"ti.

3"Vāyametheva puriso,
yāva atthassa nipphadā;
Nipphannasobhano attho,
khantyā bhiyyo na vijjatī"ti.

4"Sabbe sattā atthajātā,
tattha tattha yathārahaṁ;
Saṁyogaparamā tveva,
sambhogā sabbapāṇinaṁ;
Nipphannasobhano attho,
verocanavaco idan"ti.

5"Sabbe sattā atthajātā,
tattha tattha yathārahaṁ;
Saṁyogaparamā tveva,
sambhogā sabbapāṇinaṁ;
Nipphannasobhano attho,
khantyā bhiyyo na vijjatī"ti.