SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 11 Connected Discourses with Sakka – Sakkasaṁyutta > SN 11.18 Who Sakka Worships

Linked Discourses 11.18 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 11.18

Chapter Two – 2. Dutiyavagga

SN 11.18 Who Sakka Worships – Gahaṭṭhavandanāsutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthiyaṁ.

Tatra …pe… etadavoca:

“Once upon a time, bhikkhū, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his charioteer Mātali,

“bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, sakko devānamindo mātaliṁ saṅgāhakaṁ āmantesi:

‘My dear Mātali, harness the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds. We will go to a park and see the scenery.’

‘yojehi, samma mātali, sahassayuttaṁ ājaññarathaṁ. Uyyānabhūmiṁ gacchāma subhūmiṁ dassanāyā’ti.

‘Yes, lord,’ replied Mātali. He harnessed the chariot and informed Sakka,

‘Evaṁ, bhaddantavā’ti kho, bhikkhave, mātali saṅgāhako sakkassa devānamindassa paṭissutvā sahassayuttaṁ ājaññarathaṁ yojetvā sakkassa devānamindassa paṭivedesi:

‘Good sir, the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds has been harnessed.

‘yutto kho te, mārisa, sahassayutto ājaññaratho.

Please go at your convenience.’

Yassadāni kālaṁ maññasī’ti.

Then Sakka descended from the Palace of Victory, raised his joined palms, and revered the different quarters.

Atha kho, bhikkhave, sakko devānamindo vejayantapāsādā orohanto añjaliṁ katvā sudaṁ puthuddisā namassati.

So Mātali the charioteer addressed Sakka in verse:

Atha kho, bhikkhave, mātali saṅgāhako sakkaṁ devānamindaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

‘Those proficient in the three Vedas worship you,

‘Taṁ namassanti tevijjā,

as do all the aristocrats on earth,

sabbe bhummā ca khattiyā;

the Four Great Kings,

Cattāro ca mahārājā,

and the glorious Thirty.

tidasā ca yasassino;

So what’s the name of the spirit

Atha ko nāma so yakkho,

that you worship, Sakka?’

yaṁ tvaṁ sakka namassasī’ti.

‘Those proficient in the three Vedas worship me,

‘Maṁ namassanti tevijjā,

as do all the aristocrats on earth,

sabbe bhummā ca khattiyā;

the Four Great Kings,

Cattāro ca mahārājā,

and the glorious Thirty.

tidasā ca yasassino.

But I revere those accomplished in ethics,

Ahañca sīlasampanne,

who have long trained in samādhi,

cirarattasamāhite;

who have rightly gone forth

Sammāpabbajite vande,

committed to the spiritual life.

brahmacariyaparāyane.

I also worship those householders,

Ye gahaṭṭhā puññakarā,

the ethical lay followers

sīlavanto upāsakā;

who make merit, Mātali,

Dhammena dāraṁ posenti,

supporting a partner in a principled manner.’

te namassāmi mātalī’ti.

‘Those who you worship

‘Seṭṭhā hi kira lokasmiṁ,

seem to be the best in the world, Sakka.

ye tvaṁ sakka namassasi;

I too will worship

Ahampi te namassāmi,

those who you worship, Sakka.’

ye namassasi vāsavā’ti.

After saying this, Maghavā the chief,

Idaṁ vatvāna maghavā,

king of gods, Sujā’s husband,

devarājā sujampati;

having worshipped the quarters

Puthuddisā namassitvā,

climbed into his chariot.”

pamukho rathamāruhī”ti.