Sakkudānasuttaṃ [Ud 3.7, PTS 30]

7.

The Discourse on Sakka's Gift

27. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. Now at that time the Venerable Mahākassapa was dwelling in the Pippali Cave, seated in a single cross-legged posture for seven days, having attained a certain concentration. Then the Venerable Mahākassapa, after the elapse of that week, emerged from that concentration. Then this occurred to the Venerable Mahākassapa who had emerged from that concentration - "What if I were to enter Rājagaha for almsfood."

Now at that time about five hundred deities had become zealously engaged in obtaining almsfood for the Venerable Mahākassapa. Then the Venerable Mahākassapa, having rejected those five hundred deities, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking his bowl and robe, entered Rājagaha for almsfood.

Now at that time Sakka, the lord of the gods, wished to give almsfood to the Venerable Mahākassapa. Having created the appearance of a weaver, he weaves thread. Sujā, the titan maiden, fills the shuttle. Then the Venerable Mahākassapa, walking for almsfood successively in Rājagaha, approached the dwelling of Sakka, the lord of the gods. Sakka, the lord of the gods, saw the Venerable Mahākassapa coming from afar. Having seen him, having come out from the house, having gone to meet him, having taken the bowl from his hand, having entered the house, having lifted cooked rice from the pot, having filled the bowl, he gave it to the Venerable Mahākassapa. That almsfood had various curries, various vegetables, and various flavoured vegetables. Then this occurred to the Venerable Mahākassapa: "Who now is this being who has such supernormal power?" Then this occurred to the Venerable Mahākassapa: "This is Sakka, the lord of the gods." Having thus understood, he said this to Sakka, the lord of the gods - "This has been done by you, Kosiya; do not do such a thing again." "For us too, Venerable Kassapa, there is need of merit; for us too there is merit to be made."

Then Sakka, the lord of the gods, having paid respect to the Venerable Mahākassapa, having circumambulated him keeping him on his right, having risen up into the sky, in the air, in the atmosphere, uttered an inspired utterance three times - "Oh, the gift! The supreme gift is well established in Kassapa! Oh, the gift! The supreme gift is well established in Kassapa! Oh, the gift! The supreme gift is well established in Kassapa!" The Blessed One heard with the divine ear element, purified and surpassing the human, Sakka, the lord of the gods, having risen up into the sky, in the air, in the atmosphere, uttering an inspired utterance three times - "Oh, the gift! The supreme gift is well established in Kassapa! Oh, the gift! The supreme gift is well established in Kassapa! Oh, the gift! The supreme gift is well established in Kassapa!"

Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time uttered this inspired utterance -