SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 11 Connected Discourses with Sakka – Sakkasaṁyutta > SN 11.19 Who Sakka Worships

Linked Discourses 11.19 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 11.19

Chapter Two – 2. Dutiyavagga

SN 11.19 Who Sakka Worships – Satthāravandanāsutta

Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove.

Sāvatthiyaṁ jetavane.

“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 Buddha.

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

So Mātali the charioteer addressed Sakka in verse:

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

‘Gods and men

‘Yañhi devā manussā ca,

worship you, Vāsava.

taṁ namassanti vāsava;

So what’s the name of the spirit

Atha ko nāma so yakkho,

that you worship, Sakka?’

yaṁ tvaṁ sakka namassasī’ti.

‘It’s the fully awakened Buddha,

‘Yo idha sammāsambuddho,

the Teacher of peerless name

asmiṁ loke sadevake;

in this world with its gods—

Anomanāmaṁ satthāraṁ,

that’s who I worship, Mātali.

taṁ namassāmi mātali.

Those in whom greed, hate, and ignorance

Yesaṁ rāgo ca doso ca,

have faded away;

avijjā ca virājitā;

the perfected ones with defilements ended—

Khīṇāsavā arahanto,

they're who I worship, Mātali.

te namassāmi mātali.

The trainees who take pleasure in decreasing suffering,

Ye rāgadosavinayā,

diligently pursuing the training

avijjāsamatikkamā;

for getting rid of greed and hate,

Sekkhā apacayārāmā,

and going past ignorance—

appamattānusikkhare;

they’re who I worship, Mātali.’

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 Buddha,

Bhagavantaṁ namassitvā,

climbed into his chariot.”

pamukho rathamāruhī”ti.