Dhammapada 2.7.p10

2.7.p10

Sakkassa, mahāli, devānamindassa pubbe manussabhūtassa satta vatapadāni samattāni samādinnāni ahesuṃ, yesaṃ samādinnattā sakko sakkattaṃ ajjhagā. Katamāni satta vatapadāni? Yāvajīvaṃ mātāpettibharo assaṃ, yāvajīvaṃ kule jeṭṭhāpacāyī assaṃ, yāvajīvaṃ saṇhavāco assaṃ, yāvajīvaṃ apisuṇavāco assaṃ, yāvajīvaṃ vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṃ ajjhāvaseyyaṃ, muttacāgo payatapāṇi vosaggarato yācayogo dānasaṃvibhāgarato assaṃ. Yāvajīvaṃ saccavāco assaṃ, yāvajīvaṃ akkodhano assaṃ, ‘‘sacepi me kodho uppajjeyya, khippameva na paṭivineyya’’nti. Sakkassa, mahāli, devānamindassa pubbe manussabhūtassa imāni satta vatapadāni samattāni samādinnāni ahesuṃ, yesaṃ samādinnattā sakko sakkattaṃ ajjhagāti.

"Now what were the seven? 'So long as I live, may I be the support of my mother and father. So long as I live, may I honor my elders. So long as I live, may I speak gentle words. So long as I live, may I never give way to backbiting. So long as I live, may I live the life of a householder with heart free from taint of avarice, generous in renunciation of what is mine, with open hand, delighting in liberality, attentive to petitions, delighting in the distribution of alms. So long as I live, may I speak the truth. So long as I live, may I be free from anger. Should anger spring up within me, may I quickly suppress it.' Mahāli, Sakka king of gods in a previous state of existence took upon himself and fulfilled seven vows. Because he took upon himself and fulfilled these seven vows, Sakka attained Sakkaship." If a man support his mother and father, if he honor his elders in the household, If he be gentle and friendly in conversation, if he avoid backbiting, If he steadfastly put away avarice, if he be truthful, if he suppress anger, Such a man the Gods of the Thirty-three call a good man.