Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.131

v2.c36.131

Sakka was present at Vesālī when the Buddha visited that city in order to rid it of its plagues. His presence drove away the evil spirits, and the Buddha’s task was thus made easier.⁴⁰ When the Buddha and his monks wished to journey one hundred leagues, to visit Culla Subhaddā at Uggapura, Sakka, with the aid of Vissakamma, provided them with pavilions (kūṭāgāra) in which they might travel by air.⁴¹ Once, when the ponds in Jetavana were quite dry, the Buddha wished to bathe, and Sakka immediately caused rain to fall and the ponds were filled.⁴² In Sakka’s aspect as Vajirapāṇi (q.v.) he protected the Buddha from the insults of those who came to question him.⁴³ During the Buddha’s last illness, Sakka ministered to him, performing the most menial tasks, such as carrying the vessel of excrement.⁴⁴ He was present at the Buddha’s death, and uttered, in verse, a simple lament, very different from the studied verses ascribed to Brahmā.⁴⁵ At the distribution, by Doṇa, of the Buddha’s relics, Sakka saw Doṇa hide the Buddha’s right tooth in his turban. Realizing that Doṇa was incapable of rendering adequate honour to the relic, Sakka took the relic and deposited it in the Cūḷāmaṇicetiya.⁴⁶ And when Ajātasattu was making arrangements to deposit his share of the relics, Sakka gave orders to Vissakamma to set up a vālasaṅghātayanta for their protection.⁴⁷