Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. I heard thus. Once the Blessed One lived in Savatthi, in Jeta's grove in the monastery offered by Anathapindika.

2. When the night was waning a large number of deities of the Satullapa group, approached the Blessed One, illuminating the whole of Jeta's grove, worshiped the Blessed One and stood on a side.

3. One of those deities made this solemn utterance in the presence of the Blessed One:

"Venerable sir, giving gifts is good!

"The miserly and the negligent do not give gifts such as these,

Desiring merit, gifts should be given knowing!"

4. Another deity made this solemn utterance in the presence of the Blessed One:

"Venerable sir, giving gifts is good, yet even a little should be given with care!

A certain one, bestows little another does not give much,

Given even a little, has a thousand fold in return!"

5. Then another deity made this solemn utterance in the presence of the Blessed One:

"Venerable sir, giving gifts is good!

Giving even a small gift is good!

So also giving a gift out of faith is good!

It is said, that giving a gift is like a fight!

Even a little appeasement is a great victory!

Knowing the results for giving, a little is given,

By that, they become happy for the well being, of others." .

6. Another deity made this solemn utterance in the presence of the Blessed One:

"Venerable sir, giving gifts is good,

Yet, even a little should be given with care!

Even with faith, gifts should be given carefully!

Giving gifts out of the rightfully earned is good!

If someone gives gifts out of the rightfully earned,

Exerting himself with sweat dripping

Overstepping the warders of Vetaraniya,

He procures a place in heaven."

7. Then another deity made this solemn utterance in the presence of the Blessed One:

"Venerable sir, giving gifts is good,

Yet, even a little should be given with care!

Even with faith, gifts should be given carefully!

Giving gifts out of the rightfully earned is good!

Also giving a gift, discriminating, is good.

A gift given discriminatingly, is praised by the Well Gone One

Gifts given thinking of the receiver,

Are very fruitful with results

Like seeds, embedded in a well prepared field."

8. Then another deity made this solemn utterance in the presence of the Blessed One:

"Venerable sir, giving gifts is good,

Yet, even a little should be given with care!

Even with faith, gifts should be given carefully!

Giving gifts out of the rightfully earned is good!

Giving gifts discriminating is also good!

Yet the restrain towards living things is better.

If one does not hurt living things and does not blame anybody

Causing fear is not heroic, out of fear demerit should not be done."

9. Then another deity said to the Blessed One, "Venerable sir, whose words are good words?"

"All these are good words, yet listen to what I have to say."

A gift given out of faith is always praised,

Giving a gift is, as good as a sermon,

Before giving and even earlier, one is appeased,

And the wise, even attain extinction, by giving gifts."