Day 17 covers all of Chapter 12, Devadatta, and opens Chapter 13, Encouragement for Keeping this Sutra.

Having last month covered the prose section introducing Sakyamuni’s previous life as a king seeking someone to teach him the Great Vehicle, it’s time to repeat what we learned in gathas.

I remember that I became a king in a kalpa of the past. Although I was a king,
I did not indulge in the pleasures of the five desires Because I was seeking the Great Dharma.

I tolled a bell, and said loudly in all directions;
‘Who knows the Great Dharma?
If anyone expounds the Dharma to me,
I will become his servant.’

There was a seer called Asita.
He came to [me, who was] the great king, and said:
‘I know the Wonderful Dharma.
It is rare in the world.
If you serve me well,
I will expound the Dhanna to you.’

Hearing this, I had great joy.
I became his servant at once.
I offered him
Anything he wanted.

I collected firewood and the fruits of trees and grasses,
And offered these things to him respectfully from time to time.
I never felt tired in body and mind
Because I was thinking of the Wonderful Dharma.

I sought the Great Dharma strenuously
Because I wished to save all living beings.
I did not wish to benefit myself
Or to have the pleasures of the five desires.

Although I was the king of a great country,
I sought the Dharma strenuously.
I finally obtained the Dharma and became a Buddha.
Therefore, I now expound it to you.

For me the most important aspect of this section is Sakyamuni’s declaration that his compassion for all livings beings, not self-interest, motivated his search for enlightenment.

The Daily Dharma from July 20, 2016, offers this:

I sought the Great Dharma strenuously
Because I wished to save all living beings.
I did not wish to benefit myself
Or to have the pleasures of the five desires.