The Long Āgama Sūtra 3.23-24

3.23

「時，大典尊受相印已，六王入宮遊觀娛樂，時，皆以國事付大典尊，大典尊理七國事，無不成辦。時，國內有七大居士，典尊亦為處分家事，又能教授七百梵志諷誦經典，七王敬視大典尊相，猶如神明，國七居士視如大王，七百梵志視如梵天。時，七國王、七大居士、七百梵志皆自念言：『大典尊相，常與梵天相見，言語坐起親善。』

"Having received the prime minister's seals, whenever the six kings went into their palaces for pleasure and diversion, they entrusted state affairs to Mahā-Govinda. Mahā-Govinda managed the affairs of the seven kingdoms, and nothing was left unaccomplished. At that time, there were also seven great gṛhapatis in the realms, and Govinda also settled their household affairs for them; furthermore, he could teach seven hundred brahmacārins to recite the scriptures. The seven kings revered Prime Minister Mahā-Govinda as if he were a divine spirit; the seven gṛhapatis of the realm regarded him as a great king; and the seven hundred brahmacārins regarded him as Brahmā. The seven kings, the seven great gṛhapatis, and the seven hundred brahmacārins all thought to themselves: 'Prime Minister Mahā-Govinda regularly meets with Brahmā, speaks with him, and is on intimate terms with him.'

“‘After Great Govinda received the prime minister’s seals, the six kings went to their palaces to enjoy their leisure time, and the affairs of their kingdoms were entrusted to him. He managed the affairs of the seven kingdoms, and there was nothing he couldn’t handle.

“‘There were at the time seven great householders in the kingdom to whom Govinda delegated his duties. He also instructed 700 priests who chanted the scriptures. The seven kings regarded Prime Minister Great Govinda with respect, just as they would a god. The seven householders in each kingdom regarded him like a great king, and the 700 priests regarded him like Brahmā.

“‘The seven kings, seven great householders, and 700 priests all thought to themselves, “Prime Minister Great Govinda often meets with Brahmā, talking, sitting, and getting up with him as friends.”

3.24

「時，大典尊默識七王、居士、梵志意，謂：『我常與梵天相見，言語坐起；然我實不見梵天，不與言語，不可餐默，虛受此稱。我亦曾聞諸先宿言：「於夏四月閑居靜處，修四無量者，梵天則下，與共相見。」今我寧可修四無量，使梵天下，共相見不？』於是，典尊至七王所而白王言：『唯願大王顧臨國事，我欲於夏四月修四無量。』七王告曰：『宜知是時。』大典尊相又告七居士：『汝等各勤己務，吾欲夏四月修四無量。』居士曰：『諾！宜知是時。』又告七百梵志：『卿等當勤諷誦，轉相教授，我欲於夏四月修四無量。』梵志曰：『諾！今者大師宜知是時。』

"Then Mahā-Govinda silently perceived the thoughts of the seven kings, the gṛhapatis, and the brahmacārins, who believed: 'I regularly meet with Brahmā, speak with him, and associate with him. Yet in truth I do not see Brahmā, nor do I converse with him. It will not do to keep silent and falsely accept this reputation. I have also heard elders of former times say: "If one lives in seclusion in a quiet place during the four months of the summer and cultivates the four immeasurables, Brahmā will descend to meet with him." May I not cultivate the four immeasurables now so that Brahmā descends to meet with me?' Thereupon, Govinda went to the seven kings and said, 'May the Great Kings kindly attend to state affairs themselves; I wish to cultivate the four immeasurables during the four months of the summer.' The seven kings replied, 'You should know that now is the time.' Prime Minister Mahā-Govinda also said to the seven gṛhapatis, 'Diligently attend to your own tasks; I wish to cultivate the four immeasurables during the four months of the summer.' The gṛhapatis replied, 'Yes, you should know that now is the time.' He also said to the seven hundred brahmacārins, 'You should diligently recite and instruct one another; I wish to cultivate the four immeasurables during the four months of the summer.' The brahmacārins said, 'Yes, now the great master should know that now is the time.'