The Related Suttas Collection 11.12

Chapter Two

Sakka’s Names

Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove. There the Buddha said to the bhikkhus:

“Bhikkhus, 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.”