sn.11.12 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Sakka’s Names

At Savatthī in Jeta’s Grove. There the Blessed One said to the bhikkhus:

“Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he was a brahmin youth named Magha; therefore he is called Maghava.

“Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he gave gifts in city after city; therefore he is called Purindada, the Urban Giver.

“Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he gave gifts considerately; therefore he is called Sakka.

“Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he gave a rest house; therefore he is called Vasava.

“Bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, thinks of a thousand matters in a moment; therefore he is called Sahassakkha, Thousand-eyed.

“Bhikkhus, Sakka’s wife is the asura maiden named Suja; therefore he is called Sujampati, Suja’s husband.

“Bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, exercises supreme sovereignty and rulership over the Tavatiṁsa devas; therefore he is called lord of the devas.

“Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he adopted and undertook seven vows by the undertaking of which he achieved the status of Sakka….”

The remainder of this sutta is identical with the preceding one. Verses 906–7 = 904–5.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Sakka’s Names

Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove.
There the Buddha said to the mendicants:
“Mendicants, in a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he was a brahmanical student named Magha. That’s why he’s called Maghavā.
In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he gave gifts in stronghold after stronghold. That’s why he’s called Purindada, the Stronghold-Giver.
In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he gave gifts carefully. That’s why he’s called Sakka, the Careful.
In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he gave the gift of a guest house. That’s why he’s called Vāsava, the Houser.
Sakka thinks of a thousand things in a moment. That’s why he’s called Sahassakkha, the Thousand-Eye.
Sakka’s wife is the demon maiden named Sujā. That’s why he’s called Sujampati, Sujā’s Husband.
Sakka rules as sovereign lord over the gods of the Thirty-Three. That’s why he’s called lord of gods.
In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he undertook seven vows. And it was because of undertaking these that he achieved the status of Sakka.
What seven?
As long as I live, may I support my parents.
As long as I live, may I honor the elders in the family.
As long as I live, may I speak gently.
As long as I live, may I not speak divisively.
As long as I live, may I live at home rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share.
As long as I live, may I speak the truth.
As long as I live, may I be free of anger, or should anger arise, may I quickly get rid of it.
In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he undertook seven vows. And it was because of undertaking these that he achieved the status of Sakka.
A person who respects their parents,
and honors the elders in the family,
whose speech is gentle and courteous,
and has given up divisiveness;
who’s committed to getting rid of stinginess,
is truthful, and has mastered anger:
the gods of the Thirty-Three
call them truly a good person.”