This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard. Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

“Mendicants, when a god is due to pass away from the realm of the gods, five harbingers appear. “Yadā, bhikkhave, devo devakāyā cavanadhammo hoti, pañcassa pubbanimittāni pātubhavanti—Their flower-garlands wither; their clothes become soiled; they sweat from the armpits; their physical appearance deteriorates; and they no longer delight in their heavenly throne. mālā milāyanti, vatthāni kilissanti, kacchehi sedā muccanti, kāye dubbaṇṇiyaṁ okkamati, sake devo devāsane nābhiramatīti. When the other gods know that that godling is due to pass away, they wish them well in three ways: Tamenaṁ, bhikkhave, devā ‘cavanadhammo ayaṁ devaputto’ti iti viditvā tīhi vācāhi anumodenti: ‘Sir, may you go from here to a good place! ‘ito, bho, sugatiṁ gaccha.

When you have gone to a good place, may you be blessed with good fortune! Sugatiṁ gantvā suladdhalābhaṁ labha.

When you have been blessed with good fortune, may you become well grounded!’” Suladdhalābhaṁ labhitvā suppatiṭṭhito bhavāhī’”ti.

When he said this, one of the mendicants said to the Buddha, Evaṁ vutte, aññataro bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “Sir, what do the gods reckon to be going to a good place? “kiṁ nu kho, bhante, devānaṁ sugatigamanasaṅkhātaṁ.

What do they reckon to be blessed with good fortune? Kiñca, bhante, devānaṁ suladdhalābhasaṅkhātaṁ.

What do they reckon to become well grounded?” Kiṁ pana, bhante, devānaṁ suppatiṭṭhitasaṅkhātan”ti?

“It is human existence, mendicant, that the gods reckon to be going to a good place. “Manussattaṁ kho, bhikkhu, devānaṁ sugatigamanasaṅkhātaṁ.

When a human being gains faith in the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One, Yaṁ manussabhūto samāno tathāgatappavedite dhammavinaye saddhaṁ paṭilabhati; that is what the gods reckon to be blessed with good fortune. idaṁ kho, bhikkhu, devānaṁ suladdhalābhasaṅkhātaṁ.

When that faith in the Realized One is settled, rooted, and planted deep; when it’s strong and can’t be shifted by any ascetic or brahmin or god or Māra or divinity or by anyone in the world, Sā kho panassa saddhā niviṭṭhā hoti mūlajātā patiṭṭhitā daḷhā asaṁhāriyā samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmiṁ; that is what the gods reckon to become well grounded.” idaṁ kho, bhikkhu, devānaṁ suppatiṭṭhitasaṅkhātan”ti.

The Buddha spoke this matter. Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. On this it is said: Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

“When, with the fading of life, “Yadā devo devakāyā, a god passes from the realm of the gods, cavati āyusaṅkhayā; the gods utter three cries Tayo saddā niccharanti, of well-wishing: devānaṁ anumodataṁ.

‘Go, worthy sir, from here to a good place, ‘Ito bho sugatiṁ gaccha, in the company of humans. manussānaṁ sahabyataṁ; As a human being, gain supreme faith Manussabhūto saddhamme, in the true teaching. labha saddhaṁ anuttaraṁ.

May that faith of yours be settled, Sā te saddhā niviṭṭhassa, with roots planted deep, mūlajātā patiṭṭhitā; unfaltering all life long Yāvajīvaṁ asaṁhīrā, in the true teaching so well proclaimed. saddhamme suppavedite.

Having given up bad conduct Kāyaduccaritaṁ hitvā, by way of body, vacīduccaritāni ca; speech, and mind, Manoduccaritaṁ hitvā, and whatever else is corrupt; yañcaññaṁ dosasañhitaṁ.

and having done much good, Kāyena kusalaṁ katvā, by way of body, vācāya kusalaṁ bahuṁ; speech, and mind, Manasā kusalaṁ katvā, limitless, free of attachments; appamāṇaṁ nirūpadhiṁ.

then, having made much worldly merit Tato opadhikaṁ puññaṁ, by giving gifts, katvā dānena taṁ bahuṁ; establish other colleagues Aññepi macce saddhamme, in the true teaching, the spiritual life.’ brahmacariye nivesaya’.

It is due to such sympathy Imāya anukampāya, that when the gods know a god devā devaṁ yadā vidū; is due to pass away, they wish them well: Cavantaṁ anumodenti, ‘Come back, god, again and again!’” ehi deva punappunan”ti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard. Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.