3.
The Discourse to Mahāli
259.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī in the Great Wood in the Pinnacled Hall.
Then Mahāli the Licchavi approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, Mahāli the Licchavi said this to the Blessed One -
"Has Sakka, the lord of the gods, been seen by the Blessed One, venerable sir?"
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, has indeed been seen by me, Mahāli."
"That, venerable sir, must surely have been an imposter of Sakka. For Sakka, the lord of the gods, is difficult to see, venerable sir."
"I understand Sakka, Mahāli, and I understand the qualities that make one Sakka, because of which undertaking of qualities Sakka attained the position of Sakka, that too I understand.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, when formerly being a human being, was a young man named Magha, therefore he is called Maghavā.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, when formerly being a human being, gave gifts carefully, therefore he is called Sakka.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, when formerly being a human being, gave gifts first, therefore he is called Purindada.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, when formerly being a human being, gave a public rest-house, therefore he is called Vāsava.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, thinks of a thousand matters in a moment, therefore he is called Sahassakkha.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, has a titan maiden named Sujā as his consort, therefore he is called Sujampati.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, exercises sovereign lordship over the kingdom of the gods of the Thirty-three, therefore he is called the lord of the gods.
"When Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, was formerly a human being, he had seven vows that were complete and undertaken, because of which undertaking Sakka attained the position of Sakka. What are the seven vows? For as long as life lasts I would be a supporter of my mother and father, for as long as life lasts I would be one who honours the elders in the family, for as long as life lasts I would be one of smooth speech, for as long as life lasts I would be one of non-divisive speech, for as long as life lasts I would dwell in a house with a mind free from the stain of stinginess, generous in giving, with purified hands, delighting in relinquishment, accessible to requests, delighting in giving and sharing, for as long as life lasts I would be one who speaks the truth, for as long as life lasts I would be without wrath - even if wrath should arise in me, I would quickly dispel it." "When Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, was formerly a human being, these seven vows were complete and undertaken, because of which undertaking Sakka attained the position of Sakka."
Smooth, of kindly conversation, one who has abandoned slander.
Him indeed the gods of the Thirty-three have called a good person."