Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.80

v2.c36.80

Sakka.—Almost always spoken of as "devānaṃ indo," chief (or king) of the devas. The Saṃyutta Nikāya¹ contains a list of his names: he is called Maghavā, because as a human being, in a former birth, he was a brahmin named Magha.² As such he bestowed gifts from time to time, hence his name Purindada³ (generous giver in former births or giver in towns). Because he gives generously and thoroughly (*sakkaccaṃ*) he is known as Sakka.⁴ Because he gives away dwelling-places (*āvasatham) he is called Vāsava.⁵ Because in one moment he can think of one thousand matters, he is called Sahassakkha.⁶ Because he married the Asura maiden Sujā, he is called Sujampati.⁷ Because he governs the devas of Tāvatiṃsa, he is called Devānam Indo.⁸ Elsewhere⁹ Sakka is addressed as Kosiya (q.v.). He is also spoken of as Yakkha.¹⁰