sn.11.19 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Who Sakka Worships

Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove.
“Once upon a time, mendicants, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his charioteer Mātali,
‘My dear Mātali, harness the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds. We will go to a park and see the scenery.’
‘Yes, lord,’ replied Mātali. He harnessed the chariot and informed Sakka,
‘Good sir, the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds has been harnessed.
Please go at your convenience.’
Then Sakka descended from the Palace of Victory, raised his joined palms, and revered the Buddha.
So Mātali the charioteer addressed Sakka in verse:
‘Gods and men
worship you, Vāsava.
So what’s the name of the spirit
that you worship, Sakka?’
‘It’s the fully awakened Buddha,
the Teacher of peerless name
in this world with its gods—
that’s who I worship, Mātali.
Those in whom greed, hate, and ignorance
have faded away;
the perfected ones with defilements ended—
they're who I worship, Mātali.
The trainees who take pleasure in decreasing suffering,
diligently pursuing the training
for getting rid of greed and hate,
and going past ignorance—
they’re who I worship, Mātali.’
‘Those who you worship
seem to be the best in the world, Sakka.
I too will worship
those who you worship, Sakka.’
After saying this, Maghavā the chief,
king of gods, Sujā’s husband,
having worshipped the Buddha,
climbed into his chariot.”