Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.114

v2.c36.114

The Commentary says²⁷ that Sakka was constantly seeing the Buddha and was the most zealous of the devas in the discharge of his duties to the *sāsana*. But this visit to the Buddha at Vediyagiri had a special object. Sakka saw signs that his life was drawing to an end and was frightened by this knowledge. He therefore went to the Buddha to seek his help. It adds²⁸ that, as Sakka sat listening to the Buddha, he died in his old life and was reborn a new and young Sakka; only Sakka himself and the Buddha was aware of what had happened. The Commentary continues²⁹ that Sakka became an "*uddhaṃ-sota*," treading the path of *anāgāmins*. As such he will live in Avihā for one thousand kappas, in Atappa for two thousand, in Sudassanā for four thousand, and will end in the Akaniṭṭha-world, after having enjoyed life in the Brahma-worlds for thirty-one thousand kappas.