The Sūtra of Golden Light 5.26-27

Then that dharmabhāṇaka, through the power of recognizing our miraculous manifestations, will go to that land and there widely promulgate this Supremely Victorious King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light. Then, through the power of this sūtra, the hundred thousand calamities and bad omens will all cease and be dispelled.

“Bhagavat, in the land of whichever king the dharmabhāṇaka bhikṣu who possesses this Supremely Victorious King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light goes, know that this sūtra has also gone into that land.

“Bhagavat, at that time the king will go to the dharmabhāṇaka and will listen to whatever Dharma teaching he gives. Having heard it, he will be overjoyed and will honor, make offerings to, and serve that dharmabhāṇaka. With a mind of clear faith he will protect him, and misery and calamities will cease.

“When this sūtra is correctly taught, it will be beneficial for everyone.

“Bhagavat, through that cause and condition,⁷⁵⁵ all of us Four Mahārājas will single-mindedly guard that human king and all the humans of that land so that they will be freed of calamities and always be established in happiness.

“Bhagavat, if there is a bhikṣu, bhikṣuṇī, upāsaka, or upāsikā who possesses this sūtra,⁷⁵⁶ and if at that time a human king should seek them out, and without reluctance make offerings to them, then we Four Mahārājas will bring happiness to that ruler of the land and all the people in that land and will banish calamities far away.

“Bhagavat, if there is someone who adopts this sūtra, possesses it, reads it, and recites it, and if a human king reveres and makes offerings to and praises that person, then we Four Mahārājas will revere, venerate, and respect him above all other kings so that he will be praised by the kings of other lands.”

When that vast assembly heard those words, they held them with great joy.

Chapter 12: The Four Mahārājas Protecting the Land

⁷⁵⁷ Then the Bhagavat praised the Four Mahārājas, saying “excellent, excellent!” on hearing that they would defend and guard those who possessed the sūtra and those who honored and made offerings to the supremely victorious sūtra The Sublime Golden Light.

He then said, “You Four Mahārājas have honored, served, made offerings to, venerated, and praised many hundreds of thousands of quintillions of buddhas in the past, and you have generated roots of merit, have truly accomplished the Dharma, and have always taught the Dharma; by guiding the world through the Dharma in this way, you have long had the motivation of great love to constantly benefit beings. Because of the cause and condition of aspiring to bring happiness, you are now enjoying its perfect ripening.

“If there is a king who honors and makes offerings to the supremely victorious sūtra The Sublime Golden Light, you should make an effort to guard him and cause him to obtain happiness.

“You Four Mahārājas with your army, attendants, and many hundreds of thousands of yakṣas will guard the way of the Dharma of the buddha bhagavats of the past, future, and present. You will protect it and keep it in your care.⁷⁵⁸

“Therefore, if you Four Mahārājas, and also your followers and the countless, incalculable hundreds of thousands of yakṣas, guard this sūtra, then you will be guarding the true Dharma of the buddhas of the past, future, and present.

“Therefore, when you Four Mahārājas and also your deva followers and the yakṣas