Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.152

v2.c36.152

Sakka sometimes answers the prayers of good and barren women and gives them sons—e.g., Sumedhā, Sīlavatī, Candādevī. Mention is also made of other boons granted by Sakka to various persons. Thus in the Mahāsuka Jātaka he visited the parrot who clung to the dead stump of a tree through gratitude, and granted him the boon that the tree should once more become fruitful.⁵⁶ He granted four boons to Kaṇha, that he might be calm, bear no malice or hatred against his neighbour, feel no greed for others' glory, and no lust towards his neighbour.⁵⁷ To Akitti he granted several boons, the last of which was that he should have no more visits from Sakka⁵⁸! When Sivi became blind, Sakka gave him two eyes; these were not natural eyes, but the eyes of Truth, Absolute and Perfect (saccapāramitā-cakkhunī). Sakka confesses that he has not the power of restoring sight; it was the virtue of Sivi himself which had that power.⁵⁹ When Sīlavatī wished for a boon, Sakka took her to heaven, where he kept her for seven days; then he granted that she should have two sons, one wise and ugly and the other a fool and handsome. He also presented her with a piece of kusa-grass, a heavenly robe, a piece of sandalwood, the flower of the Pāricchattaka-tree and a Kokanda-lute. All this passed into the possession of Kusa, and, later, Sakka gave him the Verocana-jewel.⁶⁰ He gave Phusati, mother of Vessantara, ten boons⁶¹ and to Vessantara himself he gave eight.⁶²