‘Vakkali, hear the word of the Buddha and two deities. Late last night, two glorious deities, lighting up the entire Vulture’s Peak, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. One deity said to him, “Sir, the mendicant Vakkali is intent on liberation!” The other deity said to him, “He’ll definitely be well freed!” And the Buddha said, “Do not fear, Vakkali, do not fear! Your death will not be a bad one; your passing will not be a bad one.”’” “Yes, sir,” those monks replied. They went to Vakkali and said to him: “Vakkali, hear the word of the Buddha and two deities.”