This is as I heard. At one time the Blessed One was staying in the province of Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s park, at Anathapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s park, went up to the Blessed One, bowed, stood to one side, and recited this verse:
“If a person loses the opportunity
to realise the Four Noble Truths,
that person will be led astray
by the doctrines of others.
They are asleep.
They have no determination to wake up.
Yet, it is now time for them to wake!”
The Blessed One:
“If a person does not lose
the opportunity to realise the Four Noble Truths,
they will never be led astray
by the doctrines of others.
Sammāsambuddhas fully know this.
Therefore, they live smoothly in this rough world.”
Sādhu! Sādhu!! Sādhu!!!
