“Bhikkhus, once in the past, when Sakka, ruler of the devas, was guiding the Tāvatiṁsa devas, on that occasion he recited this verse:
“‘The person who would be like me …
and during special fortnights.’
“This verse, bhikkhus, was badly recited by Sakka, ruler of the devas, not well recited. It was badly stated, not well stated. For what reason? Because Sakka, ruler of the devas, is not free from birth, old age and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, dejection, and anguish; he is not free from suffering, I say. But in the case of a bhikkhu who is an arahant—one whose taints are destroyed … one completely liberated through final knowledge—it is fitting for him to say:
“‘The person who would be like me …
and during special fortnights.’
“For what reason? Because that bhikkhu is free from birth, old age and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, dejection, and anguish; he is free from suffering, I say.”