Connected Discourses 11.18

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1. Linked Discourses 11.18
2. Chapter Two
3. Who Sakka Worships
4. At Sāvatthī.
5. “Once upon a time, mendicants, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his charioteer Mātali,
6. ‘My dear Mātali, harness the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds. We will go to a park and see the scenery.’
7. ‘Yes, lord,’ replied Mātali. He harnessed the chariot and informed Sakka,
8. ‘Good fellow, the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds has been harnessed.
9. Please go at your convenience.’
10. Then Sakka descended from the Palace of Victory, raised his joined palms, and revered the different quarters.
11. So Mātali the charioteer addressed Sakka in verse:
12. ‘Those proficient in the three Vedas worship you,
13. as do all the aristocrats on earth,
14. the four great kings,
15. and the glorious host of Thirty.
16. So what’s the name of the spirit
17. that you worship, Sakka?’
18. ‘Those proficient in the three Vedas worship me,
19. as do all the aristocrats on earth,
20. the four great kings,
21. and the glorious host of Thirty.
22. But I revere those accomplished in ethics,
23. who have long trained in immersion,
24. who have rightly gone forth
25. committed to the spiritual life.
26. I also worship those householders,
27. the ethical lay followers
28. who make merit, Mātali,
29. providing for a partner in a principled manner.’
30. ‘Those who you worship
31. seem to be the best in the world, Sakka.
32. I too will worship
33. those who you worship, Sakka.’
34. After saying this, Maghavā the chief,
35. king of gods, Sujā’s husband,
36. having worshipped the quarters
37. climbed into his chariot.”