Sakka’s many names arose due to the diverse good deeds he did in the past.Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove. There the Buddha said to the mendicants: “Mendicants, in a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he was a brahmanical student named Magha. That’s why he’s called Maghavā. In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he gave gifts in stronghold after stronghold. That’s why he’s called Purindada, the Stronghold-Giver. In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he gave gifts carefully. That’s why he’s called Sakka, the Careful. In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he gave the gift of a guest house. That’s why he’s called Vāsava, the Houser. Sakka thinks of a thousand things in a moment. That’s why he’s called Sahassakkha, the Thousand-Eye. Sakka’s wife is the demon maiden named Sujā. That’s why he’s called Sujampati, Sujā’s Husband. Sakka rules as sovereign lord over the gods of the Thirty-Three. That’s why he’s called lord of gods. In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he undertook seven vows. And it was because of undertaking these that he achieved the status of Sakka. What seven? As long as I live, may I support my parents. As long as I live, may I honor the elders in the family. As long as I live, may I speak gently. As long as I live, may I not speak divisively. As long as I live, may I live at home rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share. As long as I live, may I speak the truth. As long as I live, may I be free of anger, or should anger arise, may I quickly get rid of it. In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he undertook seven vows. And it was because of undertaking these that he achieved the status of Sakka. A person who respects their parents, and honors the elders in the family, whose speech is gentle and courteous, and has given up divisiveness; who’s committed to getting rid of stinginess, is truthful, and has mastered anger: the gods of the Thirty-Three call them truly a good person.”