Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.102

v2.c36.102

These and other passages show that Sakka was considered by the early Buddhists as a god of high character, kindly and just, but not perfect, and not very intelligent. His imperfections are numerous: in spite of his very great age,¹⁸ he is still subject to death and rebirth¹⁹; as an example of this, it is mentioned that Sunetta had thirty-five times been reborn as Sakka,²⁰ a statement confirmed by the Buddha.²¹ Sakka is not free from the three deadly evils—lust, ill-will, stupidity²²; nor is he free from anxiety. He is timid, given to panic, to fright, to running away.²³