[71] Now on that occasion, Sunīdha & Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, were building a fortified city at Pāṭali Village to preempt the Vajjians. Then, getting up in the last watch of the night, the Blessed One, with the divine eye — purified and surpassing the human — saw many devas occupying sites in Pāṭali Village. In the area where devas of great influence occupied sites, there the minds of the king’s royal ministers of great influence were inclined to build their homes. In the area where devas of middling influence occupied sites, there the minds of the king’s royal ministers of middling influence were inclined to build their homes. In the area where devas of low influence occupied sites, there the minds of the king’s royal ministers of low influence were inclined to build their homes.

(Mv.VI.28.8) So the Blessed One addressed Ven. Ānanda, “Ānanda, who is building a city at Pāṭali Village?”

“Lord, Sunīdha & Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, are building a city at Pāṭali Village to preempt the Vajjians.”

“Ānanda, it’s as if they had consulted the devas of the Thirty-three: That’s how & Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, are building a city at Pāṭali Village to preempt the Vajjians.

“Just now, Ānanda, getting up in the last watch of the night, I saw, with the divine eye — purified and surpassing the human — many devas occupying sites in Pāṭali Village.

“In the area where devas of great influence occupy sites, there the minds of the king’s royal ministers of great influence are inclined to build their homes. In the area where devas of middling influence occupy sites, there the minds of the king’s royal ministers of middling influence are inclined to build their homes. In the area where devas of low influence occupy sites, there the minds of the king’s royal ministers of low influence are inclined to build their homes.

“Ānanda, as far as the sphere of the Aryans extends, as far as merchants’ roads extend, this will be the supreme city: Pāṭaliputta, where the seedpods (of the Pāṭali plant) break open. There will be three dangers for Pāṭaliputta: from fire, from water, or from the breaking of internal alliances.”[1]

(Mv.VI.28.9) [72] Then Sunīdha & Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, exchanged courteous greetings with him. After an exchange of friendly greetings & courtesies, they stood to one side. As they were standing there, they said to the Blessed One, “May Master Gotama acquiesce to my meal tomorrow, together with the Saṅgha of monks.”

The Blessed One acquiesced with silence.

Then Sunīdha & Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, understanding the Blessed One’s acquiescence, got up from their seats and left[2].

(Mv.VI.28.10) As the night was ending, Sunīdha & Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, having ordered exquisite staple and non-staple food prepared, had the time announced to the Blessed One: “It’s time, Master Gotama. The meal is ready.”

Then, early in the morning, having adjusted his under robe — carrying his bowl and robes — the Blessed One went to the meal-offering of Sunīdha & Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, and on arrival, sat down on a seat laid out, along with the Saṅgha of monks.

Then Sunīdha & Vassakāra, the chief ministers of Magadha, with their own hands served and satisfied the Blessed One & the Saṅgha of monks with exquisite staple and non-staple foods. When the Blessed One had finished his meal and withdrawn his hand from the bowl, they sat to one side.

As they were sitting there, the Blessed One gave his approval with these verses:

[74] Then the Blessed One, having given his approval to Sunīdha & Vassakāra with these verses, got up from his seat and left.

(Mv.VI.28.12) And on that occasion, Sunīdha & Vassakāra were following right after the Blessed One, (thinking,) “By whichever gate Gotama the contemplative goes out today, that will be called the Gotama Gate. And by whichever ford he crosses over the Ganges River, that will be called the Gotama Ford.”

So the gate by which the Blessed One went out was called the Gotama Gate. Then he went to the Ganges River. Now on that occasion the Ganges River was full up to the banks, so that a crow could drink from it. Some people were searching for boats, some were searching for floats, and some were binding rafts — wanting to go from this shore to the other.

(Mv.VI.28.13) The Blessed One saw the people — some searching for boats, some searching for floats, and some binding rafts — wanting to go from this shore to the other. On seeing them, the Blessed One — just as a strong man might extend his flexed arm or flex his extended arm — disappeared from the near bank of the Ganges River and reappeared on the far bank together with the Saṅgha of monks[3].

Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion exclaimed: