SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 11 Connected Discourses with Sakka – Sakkasaṁyutta > SN 11.20 Who Sakka Worships

Linked Discourses 11.20 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 11.20

Chapter Two – 2. Dutiyavagga

SN 11.20 Who Sakka Worships – Saṅghavandanāsutta

Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove.

Sāvatthiyaṁ jetavane.

Tatra kho …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 bhikkhu Saṅgha.

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

So Mātali the charioteer addressed Sakka in verse:

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

‘It’s these who should worship you,

‘Tañhi ete namasseyyuṁ,

namely the humans stuck in their putrid bodies,

pūtidehasayā narā;

sunk in a corpse,

Nimuggā kuṇapamhete,

stricken by hunger and thirst.

khuppipāsasamappitā.

Why then do you envy those

Kiṁ nu tesaṁ pihayasi,

who are homeless, Vāsava?

anāgārāna vāsava;

Relate the hermits’ way of life,

Ācāraṁ isinaṁ brūhi,

let us hear what you say.’

taṁ suṇoma vaco tavā’ti.

‘This is why I envy the

‘Etaṁ tesaṁ pihayāmi,

homeless, Mātali.

anāgārāna mātali;

When they leave a village,

Yamhā gāmā pakkamanti,

they proceed without concern.

anapekkhā vajanti te.

They hoard no goods in storerooms,

Na tesaṁ koṭṭhe openti,

nor in pots or baskets.

na kumbhi na kaḷopiyaṁ;

They seek food prepared by others,

Paraniṭṭhitamesānā,

and, true to their vows, live on that.

tena yāpenti subbatā.

The wise whose words are full of wisdom,

Sumantamantino dhīrā,

live peacefully and quietly.

tuṇhībhūtā samañcarā;

Gods fight with demons,

Devā viruddhā asurehi,

and mortals fight each other, Mātali.

puthu maccā ca mātali.

Not fighting among those who fight,

Aviruddhā viruddhesu,

extinguished among those who are armed,

attadaṇḍesu nibbutā;

not grasping among those who grasp:

Sādānesu anādānā,

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, Vāsava.’

ye namassasi vāsavā’”ti.

After saying this, Maghavā the chief,

Idaṁ vatvāna maghavā,

king of gods, Sujā’s husband,

devarājā sujampati;

having worshipped the bhikkhu Saṅgha,

Bhikkhusaṅghaṁ namassitvā,

climbed into his chariot.”

pamukho rathamāruhīti.

Dutiyo vaggo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Devā pana tayo vuttā,

daliddañca rāmaṇeyyakaṁ;