Sakka’s NamesSakkanāmasutta

Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove.Sāvatthiyaṁ jetavane. There the Buddha said to the mendicants:Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū etadavoca:

“Mendicants, in a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he was a student named Magha. That’s why he’s called Maghavā, the Bounteous.“sakko, bhikkhave, devānamindo pubbe manussabhūto samāno magho nāma māṇavo ahosi, tasmā maghavāti vuccati.

In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he was first to give gifts. That’s why he’s called Purindada, the Firstgiver.Sakko, bhikkhave, devānamindo pubbe manussabhūto samāno pure dānaṁ adāsi, tasmā purindadoti vuccati.

In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he gave gifts ably. That’s why he’s called Sakka, the Able.Sakko, bhikkhave, devānamindo pubbe manussabhūto samāno sakkaccaṁ dānaṁ adāsi, tasmā sakkoti vuccati.

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.Sakko, bhikkhave, devānamindo pubbe manussabhūto samāno āvasathaṁ adāsi, tasmā vāsavoti vuccati.

Sakka thinks of a thousand needs in an hour. That’s why he’s called Sahassakkha, the Thousand-Eyed.Sakko, bhikkhave, devānamindo sahassampi atthānaṁ muhuttena cinteti, tasmā sahassakkhoti vuccati.

Sakka’s wife is the titan maiden named Sujā. That’s why he’s called Sujampati, Sujā’s Husband.Sakkassa, bhikkhave, devānamindassa sujā nāma asurakaññā pajāpati, tasmā sujampatīti vuccati.

Sakka rules as sovereign lord over the gods of the thirty-three. That’s why he’s called Devānaminda, the Lord of Gods.Sakko, bhikkhave, devānamindo devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ issariyādhipaccaṁ rajjaṁ kāreti, tasmā devānamindoti vuccati.

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.Sakkassa, bhikkhave, devānamindassa pubbe manussabhūtassa satta vatapadāni samattāni samādinnāni ahesuṁ, yesaṁ samādinnattā sakko sakkattaṁ ajjhagā. What seven?Katamāni satta vatapadāni?

As long as I live, may I support my parents.Yāvajīvaṁ mātāpettibharo assaṁ, As long as I live, may I honor the elders in the family.yāvajīvaṁ kule jeṭṭhāpacāyī assaṁ, As long as I live, may I speak gently.yāvajīvaṁ saṇhavāco assaṁ, As long as I live, may I not backbite.yāvajīvaṁ apisuṇavāco assaṁ, As long as I live, may I live at home with heart rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share.yāvajīvaṁ vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvaseyyaṁ muttacāgo payatapāṇi vossaggarato yācayogo dānasaṁvibhāgarato, As long as I live, may I speak the truth.yāvajīvaṁ saccavāco assaṁ, As long as I live, may I be free of anger, or should anger arise, may I quickly get rid of it.yāvajīvaṁ akkodhano assaṁ—sacepi me kodho uppajjeyya, khippameva naṁ paṭivineyyanti.

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.Sakkassa, bhikkhave, devānamindassa pubbe manussabhūtassa imāni satta vatapadāni samattāni samādinnāni ahesuṁ, yesaṁ samādinnattā sakko sakkattaṁ ajjhagāti.

A child who respects their parents,Mātāpettibharaṁ jantuṁ, and honors the elders in the family,kule jeṭṭhāpacāyinaṁ; whose speech is gentle and courteous,Saṇhaṁ sakhilasambhāsaṁ, and has given up backbiting;pesuṇeyyappahāyinaṁ.

who’s committed to getting rid of stinginess,Maccheravinaye yuttaṁ, is truthful, and has mastered anger:saccaṁ kodhābhibhuṁ naraṁ; the gods of the thirty-three declareTaṁ ve devā tāvatiṁsā, them to be a true person.”āhu sappuriso itī”ti.