Sutta Pitaka
Samyutta Nikāya
Division I –– Sagātha
Book 11 –– Sakka Saṃyutta
Chapter 2 –– Dutiyo (Sattavata) Vaggo
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa.
11. 2. 1.
(11) Deva or Vatapada I –– Precepts I
1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi.
2. Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he observed and accomplished seven precepts, on account of which he attained the state of Sakka.
3. What seven?
4. Until life lasts I will look after mother and father. Until life lasts, I will venerate my elder brother. Until life lasts I will be soft spoken. Until life lasts I will not slander. Until life lasts I will live in the household dispelling the stains of miserliness, with a released, benevolent mind, with extended fingers attached to giving, to the needy and sharing gifts. Until life lasts I will tell the truth. Until life lasts I will be free from hatred. If anger arises in me, I will dispel it quickly.
5. Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he observed and accomplished these seven precepts, on account of which he attained the state of Sakka.
Speaks kindly and softly, does not slander,
Is yoked to taming miserliness, is truthful and has overcome hatred
He is the Great Being said the gods of the thirty-three.
(12) Devā or Vatapada II –– Gods II
1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi.
2. From there the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus:
3. “Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he was a young man named Magha so he is called Maghava.
4. “Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he went from city to city giving gifts, so he is called Purindada.
5. Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he gave gifts well prepared so he is called Sakka.
6. Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he gave dwellings, so he is called Vasava.
7. Bhikkhus, Sakka the king of gods in a moment thought for the good of thousands so he is called Sahassakka.
8. Bhikkhus, Sakka the king of gods had a young Titan girl named Suja as his wife, so he is called Sujampati.
9. Bhikkhus, Sakka the king of gods rules over the gods of the thirty-three in great splendor so he is called king of gods.
10. Bhikkhus, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he observed and accomplished seven precepts, on account of which he attained the state of Sakka.
11. What seven?
Until life lasts I will look after mother and father. Until life lasts, I will venerate my elder brother. Until life lasts I will be soft spoken. Until life lasts I will not slander. Until life lasts I will live in the household dispelling the stains of miserliness, with a released, benevolent mind, with extended fingers attached to giving, to the needy and sharing gifts. Until life lasts I will tell the truth. Until life lasts I will be free from hatred. If anger arises in me, I will dispel it quickly.
12. Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he observed and accomplished these seven precepts, on account of which he attained the state of Sakka.
Speaks kindly and softly, does not slander,
Is yoked to taming miserliness, is truthful and has overcome hatred
He is the Great Being said the gods of the thirty-three.
(13) Deva or Vatapapada –– Gods (or Mahāli)
1. I heard thus.
2. At one time the Blessed One was living in the gabled hall in the Great Forest in Vesali.
3. Then Mahāli the Licchavi approached the Blessed One and worshipped and sat on side.
4. Sitting on a side Mahāli the Licchavi said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, has the Blessed One seen Sakka the king of gods?”
5. “Mahāli, I have seen Sakka the king of gods.”
6. “Venerable sir, is it a resemblance of Sakka that you have seen? It is said that Sakka the king of gods is difficult to be seen.”
7. “Mahāli I know the state of Sakka and I know observing what things someone could attain the state of Sakka.”
8. “Mahāli, in the past, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he was a young man named Magha so he is called Maghava.
9. “Mahāli, in the past, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he went from city to city giving gifts, so he is called Purindada.
10. “Mahāli, in the past, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he gave gifts well prepared so he is called Sakka
11. “Mahāli, in the past, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he gave dwellings, so he is called Vasava.
12. “Mahāli, Sakka the king of gods in a moment thought for the good of thousands so he is called Sahassakka.
13. “Mahāli, Sakka the king of gods had a young Titan girl named Suja as his wife, so he is called Sujampati.
14. “Mahāli, Sakka the king of gods rules over the gods of the thirty-three in great splendor so he is called king of gods.
15. “Mahāli, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he observed and accomplished seven precepts, on account of which he attained the state of Sakka.
16. “What seven precepts?
17. “Until life lasts I will look after mother and father Until life lasts, I will venerate my elder brother. Until life lasts I will be soft spoken. Until life lasts I will not slander. Until life lasts I will live in the household dispelling the stains of miserliness, with a released, benevolent mind, with extended fingers attached to giving, to the needy and sharing gifts. Until life lasts I will tell the truth. Until life lasts I will be free from hatred. If anger arises in me, I will dispel it quickly.
18. “Mahāki, in the past, when Sakka the king of gods was a human, he observed and accomplished these seven precepts, on account of which he attained the state of Sakka.
Speaks kindly and softly, does not slander,
Is yoked to taming miserliness, is truthful and has overcome hatred
He is the Great Being said the gods of the thirty-three.”
(14) Daḷiddo –– A Poor Man
1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the squirrels’ sanctuary in the bamboo grove in Rajagaha.
2. From there the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: “Bhikkhus”
3. Those bhikkhus replied: “Yes, venerable sir.”
4. And the Blessed One said thus:
5. “Bhikkhus, in the past, in this same Rajagaha there was a poor miserable beggar.
6. “He trained himself and gained in faith, virtues, learning, benevolence and wisdom in the dispensation, declared by the Thus Gone Ones.
7. “And after death he was born in the company of the gods of the thirty-three. In the midst of the gods of the thirty-three, he out shone in beauty and fame.
8. “The gods of the thirty-three were irritated and annoyed seeing him, thought it is wonderful and surprising this son of the gods in the past was a poor miserable beggar. After death he is born in heaven in the company of the thirty-three and out shines the other gods in beauty and fame.
9. “Then Sakka the king of gods addressed, the thirty-three gods: ‘Sirs, do not be irritated and annoyed about this son of gods. Sirs, in the past, this son of gods was a poor miserable beggar He trained himself and gained in faith, virtues, learning, benevolence and wisdom in the dispensation declared by the Thus Gone Ones. And after death he was born in the company of the gods of the thirty-three. In the midst of the gods of the thirty-three, he out shines in beauty and fame.’
10. “Then Sakka the king of gods in a friendly manner said these stanzas to the gods of the thirty-three:
In the dispensation of the Thus Gone Ones,
If his virtues are pure and praised by the noble ones,
And faith in the Community of bhikkhus is established,
If he has rectified his view, it is said he is not poor
His life is auspicious. Therefore wisely grow in,
Faith, virtues and appreciating right view
And wisely grow in the dispensation of Enlightened Ones.’
(15) Rāmaṇeyyakaṃ –– The Pleasant Things
1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi.
2. Then Sakka the king of gods approached the Blessed One, worshipped and stood on a side.
3. Standing on a side the king of gods said thus to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, what are delightful agreeable sceneries?”
and well completed ponds are delightful.
Yet they are not worth, one fourth, to the delightful agreeable mind.
In village, forest, valley or highland, where the noble ones live,
That land is delightful and agreeable.
(16) Yajamānaṃ –– Those Desiring Merit
1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living among the Gijja peaks in Rajagaha.
2. Then Sakka the king of gods approached the Blessed One, worshipped and stood on a side.
3. Standing on a side the king of gods said these stanzas to the Blessed One.
Given to whom, could the highest results be obtained?”
That is the Community of bhikkhus,
straightforward in wisdom, virtues and concentration.
Humans desiring merit to be born in the future
Giving to the Community of bhikkhus, reap the highest results.”
(17) Vandana –– Venerate
1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi.
2. At the time the Blessed One was in seclusion during the daytime.
3. Then Sakka the king of gods and brahma Sahampathy approached the Blessed One and one of them stood outside.
4. Sakka the king of gods said this stanza in the presence of the Blessed One:
Without a debt or a load, wander in the world.
Your mind is also thoroughly released,
It’s like the waxing moon on the fifteenth night.”
Leading charioteer, wander in the world, without a debt.
Blessed One, teach. There will be those who understand the Teaching.”
(18) Sakka-Namassana I –– Venerations of The King of Gods I
1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi.
2. From there the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: Those bhikkhus replied: “Yes, venerable sir.” And the Blessed One said thus:
3. “Bhikkhus, in the past, Sakka the king of gods addressed Mātali the charioteer: “Friend, Mātali, yoke the chariot with thousand thoroughbreds. Let’s go to enjoy in the pleasant parks.
4. “Mātali the charioteer agreed and yoking the chariot with the thousand thoroughbreds, informed Sakka the king of gods: ‘Sir, the chariot is yoked. Do as you think is fitting.’
5. “Then Sakka the king of gods while descending from the Vejanta mansion with clasped hands venerated all quarters.
6. “Bhikkhus, then Mātali the charioteer said a stanza to Sakka the king of gods:
The four great heavenly kings and the famous thirty,
Sakka, you non-human, who are you venerating?’
Four great heavenly kings, the famous thirty,
So also I venerate the virtuous who have gone forth rightfully,
Who were since long appeased and have come to the end of the holy life
So also I venerate the virtuous lay disciple householders,
Who feed their wives rightfully.’
Vasava, I too venerate them.’
Venerating all the directions ascended the foremost chariot.”
(19) Sakka –– Namassana II – Veneration of The King of Gods II
1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi. From there the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: Those bhikkhus replied: “Yes, venerable sir.” And the Blessed One said thus:
2. “Bhikkhus, in the past, Sakka the king of gods addressed Mātali the charioteer: ‘Friend, Mātali, yoke the chariot with thousand thoroughbreds let’s go to enjoy in the pleasant parks.’
4. “Mātali the charioteer agreed and yoking the chariot with the thousand thoroughbreds, informed Sakka the king of gods: ‘Sir, the chariot is yoked. Do as you think is fitting.’
5. “Then Sakka the king of gods while descending from the Vejanta mansion with clasped hands venerated the Blessed One.
6. “Bhikkhus, then Mātali the charioteer said a stanza to Sakka the king of gods:
Sakka, you non-human, too venerate him.”
I venerate that Teacher by the name Anoma
His greed, hate and ignorance have faded
He has destroyed desires and is worthy,
Mātali I venerate him.’
I too venerate whoever Vasava verates.’
Venerating the Blessed One ascended the foremost chariot.”
(20) Sakka –– Namassana III – Venerations of The King of Gods III
1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi.
2. From there the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus. Those bhikkhus replied: “Yes, venerable sir.”
And the Blessed One said thus:
3. “Bhikkhus, in the past, Sakka the king of gods addressed Mātali the charioteer: “Friend, Mātali, yoke the chariot with thousand thoroughbreds let’s go to enjoy in the pleasant parks.
4. “Mātali the charioteer agreed and yoking the chariot with the thousand thoroughbreds, informed Sakka the king of gods: ‘Sir, the chariot is yoked do as you think is fitting.’
5. “Then Sakka the king of gods while descending from the Vejanta mansion with clasped hands venerated the Community of bhikkhus.
6. “Bhikkhus, then Mātali the charioteer said a stanza to Sakka the king of gods:
They have hunger and thirst and a putrid smell emanates from them.
Vasava, is it their homelessness you envy?
Tell us the behavior of the sages, we like to hear your words.’
Whatever village they enter, it’s without desires they enter.
They have no store houses, pots or pans.
The good ones are fed on what others prepare.
The wise ones protecting their minds behave silently.
The gods are antagonistic to the Titans.
They are not angry with any antagonistic humans.
They are appeased among those who punish the self.
They do not seize among those who seize.
Mātali, I worship them.’
Vasava, I too venerate them.’
Venerating the Community of bhikkhus ascended the foremost chariot.”
