The Connected Discourses of the Buddha Page 33

  “Then, bhikkhus, Vepacitti, lord of the asuras, <485> 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!’622 - ‘Dear sir, do not abandon the idea that just occurred to you.’623 - ‘Swear, Vepacitti, that you won’t transgress against me.’

  [Vepacitti:]893 ‘“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, Sujā’s husband.’”624

  8 (8) Verocana, Lord of the Asuras

  At Sāvatthı̄ in Jeta’s Grove. Now on that occasion the Blessed One had gone for his day’s abiding and was in seclusion. Then Sakka, <486> lord of the devas, and Verocana, lord of the asuras, approached the Blessed One and stood one at each door post. Then Verocana, lord of the asuras, recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:625 894 “A man should make an effort

  Until his goal has been achieved.

  Goals shine when achieved:

  This is the word of Verocana.” [226]

  [Sakka:]895 “A man should make an effort

  Until his goal has been achieved.

  Of goals that shine when achieved,

  None is found better than patience.”626

  [Verocana:]896 “All beings are bent on a goal

  Here or there as fits the case,

  But for all creatures association

  Is supreme among enjoyments.

  Goals shine when achieved:

  This is the word of Verocana.”627 <487>

  [Sakka:]897 “All beings are bent upon a goal

  Here or there as fits the case,

  But for all creatures association

  Is supreme among enjoyments.

  Of goals that shine when achieved,

  None is found better than patience.”

  9 (9) Seers in a Forest

  At Sāvatthı̄. “Bhikkhus, once in the past a number of seers who were virtuous and of good character had settled down in leaf huts in a tract of forest. Then Sakka, lord of the devas, and Vepacitti, lord of the asuras, approached those seers.

  “Vepacitti, lord of the asuras, put on his boots, bound his sword on tightly, and, with a parasol borne aloft, entered the hermitage through the main gate; then, having turned his left side towards them,628 he walked past those seers who were virtuous and of good character. But Sakka, lord of the devas, took off his boots, handed over his sword to others, <488> lowered his parasol, and entered the hermitage through an [ordinary] gate; then he stood on the lee side, raising his joined hands in reverential salutation, paying homage to those seers who were virtuous and of good character.

  “Then, bhikkhus, those seers addressed Sakka in verse:898 “‘The odour of the seers long bound by their vows,

  Emitted from their bodies, goes with the wind.

  Turn away from here, O thousand-eyed god,

  For the seers’ odour is foul, O deva-king.’629

  [Sakka:]899 “‘Let the odour of the seers long bound by their vows,

  Emitted from their bodies, go with the wind;

  We yearn for this odour, O venerable sirs,

  As for a garland of flowers on the head. [227]

  The devas do not perceive it as repulsive.’”630 <489>

  10 (10) Seers by the Ocean

  At Sāvatthı̄. “Bhikkhus, once in the past a number of seers who were virtuous and of good character had settled down in leaf huts along the shore of the ocean. Now on that occasion the devas and the asuras were arrayed for a battle. Then it occurred to those seers who were virtuous and of good character: ‘The devas are righteous, the asuras unrighteous. There may be danger to us from the asuras. Let us approach Sambara, lord of the asuras, and ask him for a guarantee of safety.’631

  “Then, bhikkhus, just as quickly as a strong man might extend his drawn-in arm or draw in his extended arm, those seers who were virtuous and of good character disappeared from their leaf huts along the shore of the ocean and reappeared in the presence of Sambara, lord of the asuras. Then those seers addressed Sambara in verse:900 “‘The seers who have come to Sambara

  Ask him for a guarantee of safety. <490>

  For you can give them what you wish,

  Whether it be danger or safety.’632

  [Sambara:]901 “‘I’ll grant no safety to the seers,

  For they are hated devotees of Sakka;

  Though you appeal to me for safety,

  I’ll give you only danger.’

  [The seers:]902 “‘Though we have asked for safety,

  You give us only danger.

  We receive this at your hands:

  May ceaseless danger come to you!

  903 “‘Whatever sort of seed is sown,

  That is the sort of fruit one reaps:

  The doer of good reaps good;

  The doer of evil reaps evil.

  By you, dear, has the seed been sown;

  Thus you will experience the fruit.’

  “Then, bhikkhus, having put a curse on Sambara, lord of the asuras, just as quickly as a strong man might extend his drawn-in arm <491> or draw in his extended arm, those seers who were virtuous and of good character disappeared from the presence of Sambara and reappeared in their leaf huts on the shore of the ocean. [228] But after being cursed by those seers who were virtuous and of good character, Sambara, lord of the asuras, was gripped by alarm three times in the course of the night.”633 <492>

  II. THE SECOND SUBCHAPTER (THE SEVEN VOWS)

  11 (1) Vows

  At Sāvatthı̄. “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.634 What were the seven vows?

  (1) “‘As long as I live may I support my parents.’

  (2) “‘As long as I live may I respect the family elders.’

  (3) “‘As long as I live may I speak gently.’

  (4) “‘As long as I live may I not speak divisively.’

  (5) “‘As long as I live may I dwell at home with a mind devoid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, delighting in relinquishment, devoted to charity,635 delighting in giving and sharing.’

  (6) “‘As long as I live may I speak the truth.’

  (7) “‘As long as I live may I be free from anger, and if anger should arise in me may I dispel it quickly.’

  “In the past, bhikkhus, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he adopted and undertook these seven vows by the undertaking of which he achieved the status of Sakka. <493>

  904 “When a person supports his parents,

  And respects the family elders;

  When his speech is gentle and courteous,

  And he refrains from divisive words;

  905 When he strives to remove meanness,

  Is truthful, and vanquishes anger,

  The Tāvatiṃsa devas call him

  Truly a superior person.” [229]

  12 (2) Sakka’s Names

  At Sāvatthı̄ 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 Maghavā.636

  “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.637

  “Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he gave gifts considerately; therefore he is called Sakka.638

  “Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, <494> he gave a rest house; therefore he is called Vāsava.639

  “Bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, thinks of a thousand matters in a moment; ther
efore he is called Sahassakkha, Thousand-eyed.640

  “Bhikkhus, Sakka’s wife is the asura maiden named Sujā; therefore he is called Sujampati, Sujā’s husband.641

  “Bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, exercises supreme sovereignty and rulership over the Tāvatiṃsa 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.) [230] <495>

  13 (3) Mahāli

  Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālı̄ in the Great Wood in the Hall with the Peaked Roof. Then Mahāli the Licchavi approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said to him:

  “Venerable sir, has the Blessed One seen Sakka, lord of the devas?”

  “I have, Mahāli.”

  “Surely, venerable sir, that must have been one who looked like Sakka, lord of the devas; for Sakka, lord of the devas, is difficult to see.”

  “I know Sakka, Mahāli, and I know the qualities that make for Sakka, by the undertaking of which Sakka achieved the status of Sakka. <496>

  “In the past, Mahāli, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he was a brahmin youth named Magha. Therefore he is called Maghavā….”

  (Here follows the names of Sakka as in 11:12 and the seven vows as in 11:11, followed by verses 908-9 = 904-5.) [231] <497>

  14 (4) Poor

  On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrel Sanctuary. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus thus: “Bhikkhus!”

  “Venerable sir!” those bhikkhus replied. The Blessed One said this:

  “Bhikkhus, once in the past in this same Rājagaha there was a poor man, a pauper, an indigent. He undertook faith, virtue, learning, generosity, and wisdom in the Dhamma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathāgata. Having done so, with the breakup of the body, after death, [232] <498> he was reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world, in the company of the Tāvatiṃsa devas, where he outshone the other devas in regard to beauty and glory.642

  “Thereupon the Tāvatiṃsa devas found fault with this, grumbled, and complained about it, saying: ‘It is wonderful indeed, sir! It is amazing indeed, sir! For formerly, when this young deva was a human being, he was a poor man, a pauper, an indigent. Yet with the breakup of the body, after death, he has been reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world, in the company of the Tāvatiṃsa devas, where he outshines the other devas in regard to beauty and glory.’

  “Then, bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, addressed the Tāvatiṃsa devas thus: ‘Dear sirs, do not find fault with this young deva. Formerly, when this young deva was a human being, he undertook faith, virtue, learning, generosity, and wisdom in the Dhamma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathāgata. Having done so, with the breakup of the body, after death, he has been reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world, in the company of the Tāvatiṃsa devas, where he outshines the other devas in regard to beauty and glory.’

  “Then, bhikkhus, instructing the Tāvatiṃsa devas,643 Sakka, lord of the devas, on that occasion recited these verses: <499>

  910 “‘When one has faith in the Tathāgata,

  Unshakable and well established,

  And good conduct built on virtue,

  Dear to the noble ones and praised;644

  911 “‘When one has confidence in the Saṅgha

  And one’s view is straightened out,

  They say that one isn’t poor;

  One’s life is not lived in vain.

  912 “‘Therefore the person of intelligence,

  Remembering the Buddha’s Teaching,

  Should be devoted to faith and virtue,

  To confidence and vision of the Dhamma.’”

  15 (5) A Delightful Place

  At Sāvatthı̄ in Jeta’s Grove. Then Sakka, lord of the devas, approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, stood to one side, and said to him: “Venerable sir, what is a delightful place?” [233]

  [The Blessed One:] <500>913 “Shrines in parks and woodland shrines,

  Well-constructed lotus ponds:

  These are not worth a sixteenth part

  Of a delightful human being.

  914 “Whether in a village or forest,

  In a valley or on the plain—

  Wherever the arahants dwell

  Is truly a delightful place.”

  16 (6) Bestowing Alms

  On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha on Mount Vulture Peak. Then Sakka, lord of the devas, approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and stood to one side. Standing to one side, he addressed the Blessed One in verse:645

  915 “For those people who bestow alms,

  For living beings in quest of merit,

  Performing merit of the mundane type,

  Where does a gift bear great fruit?”646

  [The Blessed One:] <501>916 “The four practising the way

  And the four established in the fruit:

  This is the Saṅgha of upright conduct

  Endowed with wisdom and virtue.647

  917 “For those people who bestow alms,

  For living beings in quest of merit,

  Performing merit of the mundane type,

  A gift to the Saṅgha bears great fruit.”

  17 (7) Veneration of the Buddha

  At Sāvatthı̄ in Jeta’s Grove. Now on that occasion the Blessed One had gone for his day’s abiding and was in seclusion. Then Sakka, lord of the devas, and Brahmā Sahampati approached the Blessed One and stood one at each doorpost. Then Sakka, lord of the devas, recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:918 “Rise up, O hero, victor in battle!

  Your burden lowered, debt-free one, wander in the world.

  Your mind is fully liberated

  Like the moon on the fifteenth night.”648 [234]

  [Brahmā Sahampati:] “It is not in such a way that the Tathāgatas are to be venerated, lord of the devas. The Tathāgatas are to be venerated thus:919 “Rise up, O hero, victor in battle! <502>

  O caravan leader, debt-free one, wander in the world.

  Teach the Dhamma, O Blessed One:

  There will be those who will understand.”649

  18 (8) The Worship of Householders (or Sakka’s Worship (1))

  At Sāvatthı̄. There the Blessed One said this: “Bhikkhus, once in the past Sakka, lord of the devas, addressed his charioteer Mātali thus: ‘Harness the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds, friend Mātali. Let us go to the park grounds to see the beautiful scenery.’ - ‘Yes, your lordship,’ Mātali the charioteer replied. Then he harnessed the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds and announced to Sakka, lord of the devas: ‘The chariot has been harnessed, dear sir. You may come at your own convenience.’650

  “Then, bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, descending from the Vejayanta Palace, raised his joined hands in reverential salutation, and worshipped the different quarters. Then Mātali the charioteer addressed Sakka in verse:920 “‘These all humbly worship you—

  Those versed in the Triple Veda,

  All the khattiyas reigning on earth,

  The Four Great Kings and the glorious Thirty—<503>

  So who, O Sakka, is that spirit

  To whom you bow in worship?’651

  [Sakka:]921 “‘These all humbly worship me—

  Those versed in the Triple Veda,

  All the khattiyas reigning on earth,

  The Four Great Kings and the glorious Thirty—

  922 But I worship those endowed with virtue,

  Those long trained in concentration,

  Those who have properly gone forth

  With the holy life their destination.652

  923 “‘I worship as
well, O Mātali,

  Those householders making merit,

  The lay followers possessed of virtue

  Who righteously maintain a wife.’

  [Mātali:]924 “‘Those whom you worship, my lord Sakka,

  Are indeed the best in the world.

  I too will worship them—

  Those whom you worship, Vāsava.’ <504>

  [The Blessed One:]925 “Having given this explanation,

  Having worshipped the different quarters,

  The deva-king Maghavā, Sujā’s husband,

  The chief, climbed into his chariot.” [235]