The Story of Magha (Dhammapada 2 : 30)

II. Appamada Vagga – Mindfulness

Verse 30:
Through mindfulness (in doing meritorious deeds)
Magha (Sakka/Indra) became king of the devas.
Mindfulness is always praised,
but negligence is always despised
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While residing at the Kutagara monastery near Vesali, the Buddha uttered Verse (30) of this book, with reference to Sakka, king of the devas.

On one occasion, a Licchavi prince, named Mahali, came to listen to a religious discourse given by the Buddha. The discourse given was Sakkapanha Suttanta. The Buddha spoke of Sakka vividly in glowing terms; so, Mahali thought that the Buddha must have personally met Sakka. To make sure, he asked the Buddha, and the Buddha replied, "Mahali, Tathāgata* does know Sakka; Tathāgata also knows what has made him a Sakka." He then told Mahali that Sakka, king of the devas, was in a previous existence a young man by the name of Magha, in the village of Macala.

The youth Magha and his thirty-two companions went about building roads and rest houses.** Magha took upon himself also to observe seven obligations. These seven obligations are that throughout his life, (1) he would support his parents; (2) he would respect the elders ; (3) he would be gentle of speech; (4) he would avoid back-biting; (5) he would not be avaricious, but would be generous; (6) he would speak the truth; and (7) he would restrain himself from losing his temper.

It was because of his good deeds and right conduct in that existence that Magha was reborn as Sakka, king of the devas.

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

"Appamādena maghavā devānaṃ seṭṭhataṃ gato

appamādaṃ pasaṃsanti pamādo garahito sadā."

Through mindfulness (in doing meritorious deeds)

Magha became king of the devas.

Mindfulness is always praised,

but negligence is always despised.

At the end of the discourse Mahali attained Sotapatti Fruition.

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Notes :

* Tathāgata (Chinese : 如来 ru lai) means, both one who has thus gone (Tathā-gata) and one who has thus come (Tathā-āgata). In other words the Tathagatas are beyond all coming and going. Others assert that the name means one who has found the truth. It is the name the Buddha used when referring to himself while he was alive.

Using this word as his preferred personal appellation, the Buddha of the scriptures is always reported as saying, "The Tathagata such and such ...," instead of ever using the pronouns me, I or myself. This serves to emphasize by implication that the words are uttered by one who has transcended the human condition, and is beyond the otherwise endless cycle of rebirth, beyond all death and dying, beyond all suffering.

** Remember the 6 Heavens Realms on Dhammika Story verses 16 ?

These 33 people including Magha was born in Tãvatimsa (the world of 33 devas), hence the name.