Stories of Sakka from the Sakka Samyutta

11. Deva Sattavatapada Suttaṁ: The Discourse about the Noble Promises of God Sakka

This is how I heard. One time the Blessed One was staying in the province of Sāvatthi, in Jeta’s park, at Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery.

There, the Blessed One taught this:

“Monks, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the gods, was a human, he practised the seven noble promises. Since he did that, he achieved the position of Sakka, lord of the gods. What were those seven noble promises?

1. As long as I live may I help 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 live at home without greediness, removing the stain of stinginess, open-handed, always ready to give, always free to help others, delighting in giving and sharing, and well organized in giving charity.
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 remove it quickly.
“Monks, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the gods, was a human, he practised these noble seven promises. Since he did that, he achieved the position of Sakka, lord of the gods.”

(A verse)
When a person supports his parents, respects the family elders, speaks gentle and pleasing words, does not speak divisive words, removes greediness, speaks truthfully, and controls their anger, the Tāvatiṁsa gods call him a truly superior person.

21. Jhatva Suttaṁ: The Discourse about Burning

This is how I heard. At one time, the Blessed One was staying in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery at Jeta’s garden in the province of Sāvatthi. Then Sakka, lord of the gods, went to the Blessed One, paid homage to the Blessed one and stood to one side. Then Sakka, lord of the gods, asked the Blessed One a question in verse:

“Oh venerable Gotama, what does one need to burn to sleep peacefully? What does one need to burn to not sorrow? What is the one thing whose killing you would approve?”

The Blessed One:

“Oh God Sakka, having burned anger one sleeps peacefully. Having burned anger one does not sorrow. The killing of anger with its poisoned root and honeyed tip (taking revenge) is the killing that the noble ones praise. Having burned anger indeed one does not sorrow.”

22. Dubbanniya Suttaṁ: The Discourse about Being Ugly

At Sāvatthi. There, the Blessed One said this: “Monks, once in the past a certain ugly and deformed demon sat down on the seat of Sakka, lord of the gods. At that time monks, the Tāvatiṁsa gods found fault with this, grumbled, and complained about it, saying, ‘It is wonderful indeed sir! It is amazing indeed, sir! This ugly, deformed demon has sat down on the seat of Sakka, lord of the gods!’

“But to whatever extent the Tāvatiṁsa gods found fault with this, grumbled, and complained about it, to that extent the demon became more and more handsome, more and more attractive, more and more bright.

“Then monks, the Tāvatiṁsa gods went to Sakka, lord of the gods and said to him: ‘Here, dear sir, an ugly, deformed demon has sat down on your seat. Then lord, the Tāvatiṁsa gods found fault with this and complained about it, saying: “It is wonderful indeed sir! It is amazing indeed, sir! This ugly, deformed demon has sat down on the seat of Sakka, Lord of the gods!” But lord, to whatever extent the Tāvatiṁsa gods found fault with this, grumbled, and complained about it, to that extent that demon became more and more handsome, more and more attractive, more and more bright.’

“‘Oh sirs, that must be the anger-eating demon,’ said Sakka. Then monks, Sakka, Lord of the gods, went to the anger-eating demon. Having gone, he put his upper cloth over one shoulder, knelt down with his right knee on the ground, and, putting his hands together worshiping respectfully the anger-eating demon, he said his own name three times: ‘I, dear sir, am Sakka, lord of the gods! I, dear sir, am Sakka, lord of the gods!’

“To whatever extent Sakka, lord of the gods, said his name, to the same extent that demon became uglier and uglier and more and more deformed until he disappeared right there.

“Then, monks, having sat down on his own seat, instructing the Tāvatiṁsa gods, Sakka, lord of the gods, on that occasion recited these verses:

“‘I am not one who hurts his own mind, nor is easily taken by anger. I have not gotten angry for a long time. Therefore anger does not stay in me.

“‘When I’m angry I do not speak harshly, I only speak beneficial words. Seeing the benefit that comes to me from that patience, I always focus on my own faults.’”