Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.145

v2.c31.145

Magha.—The name Sakka bore in a previous birth¹ when he was born as a man in Macalagāma in Magadha. His story is given in the Kulāvaka Jātaka (*q.v.*)² Because of his birth as Magha, Sakka came to be known as Maghavā. Maghavā was, perhaps, not the personal name of any particular Sakka, but a title of all Sakkas, because the Sakka who was the real Magha is identified with the Bodhisatta,³ while the Buddha says⁴ that the Sakka, who visited him, and whose conversation is recorded in the Sakkapañha Sutta, was also known as Maghavā. The title probably originated from the time when Magha became Sakka.