Devà Sutta - Sakka's Names

From The Connected Discourses of the Buddha : A New Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya. VoI 1., by Bhikkhu Bodhi. 2000: Wisdom Publications. ppg. 329-330.

At Savatthi in Jeta's Grove. There the Blessed One said to the bhikkus:

"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 considerably; therefore he is called Sakka.

"Bhikkhus, in the past, when Sakka, lord of the debas, 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.

"Bhikkus, 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 Tavatimsa devas; therefore his called lord of the devas.

"Bhikkkus, 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.


 * "When a person supports his parents,


 * And respects the family elders;


 * When his speech is gentle and courteous,


 * And he refrains from divisive words;


 * When he strives to remove meanness,


 * Is truthful, and vanguishes anger,


 * The Tavatimsa devas call him


 * Truly a superior person."