sn.11.7 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

One Should Not Transgress

At Savatthī. “Bhikkhus, once in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was alone in seclusion, the following reflection arose in his mind: ‘Though someone may be my sworn enemy, I should not transgress even against him.’

“Then, bhikkhus, Vepacitti, lord of the asuras, having known with his own mind the reflection in Sakka’s mind, approached Sakka, lord of the devas. Sakka saw Vepacitti coming in the distance and said to him: ‘Stop, Vepacitti, you’re caught!’—‘Dear sir, do not abandon the idea that just occurred to you.’—‘Swear, Vepacitti, that you won’t transgress against me.’

Vepacitti:

‘“Whatever evil comes to a liar,
Whatever evil to a reviler of noble ones,
Whatever evil to a betrayer of friends,
Whatever evil to one without gratitude:
That same evil touches the one
Who transgresses against you, Suja’s husband.’”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Not Betray

At Sāvatthī.
“Once upon a time, mendicants, as Sakka, lord of gods, was in private retreat this thought came to his mind,
‘I should never betray even a sworn enemy.’
And then Vepacitti, lord of demons, knowing what Sakka was thinking, approached him.
Sakka saw Vepacitti coming off in the distance,
and said to him,
‘Stop, Vepacitti, you’re caught!’
‘Dear sir, don’t give up the idea you just had!’
‘Swear, Vepacitti, that you won’t betray me.’
‘Whatever bad things happen to a liar,
or to someone who slanders the noble ones,
or to someone who betrays a friend,
or to someone who’s ungrateful,
the same bad things impact
anyone who betrays you, Sujā’s husband.’”