11.12. Sakka’s Names

At Savatthī in Jeta’s Grove. There the Blessed One said to the bhikkhus:

“Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he was a brahmin youth named Magha; therefore he is called Maghava.

“Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he gave gifts in city after city; therefore he is called Purindada, the Urban Giver.

“Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he gave gifts considerately; therefore he is called Sakka.

“Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he gave a rest house; therefore he is called Vasava.

“Bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, thinks of a thousand matters in a moment; therefore he is called Sahassakkha, Thousand-eyed.

“Bhikkhus, Sakka’s wife is the asura maiden named Suja; therefore he is called Sujampati, Suja’s husband.

“Bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, exercises supreme sovereignty and rulership over the Tavatiṁsa devas; therefore he is called lord of the devas.

“Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the devas, was a human being, he adopted and undertook seven vows by the undertaking of which he achieved the status of Sakka….”

The remainder of this sutta is identical with the preceding one. Verses 906–7 = 904–5.