Saṁyutta Nikāya — Discursos Conectados — 11.20 — Homage of the Saṅgha

1Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove.

2“Once upon a time, mendicants, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his chariot handler Mātali, ‘My dear Mātali, harness the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds. We will go to a park and see the scenery.’

3‘Yes, lord,’ replied Mātali. He harnessed the chariot and informed Sakka, ‘Good fellow, the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds has been harnessed. Please go at your convenience.’

4Then Sakka descended from the Palace of Victory, raised his cupped palms, and revered the mendicant Saṅgha.

5So Mātali the chariot handler addressed Sakka in verse:

6‘It’s these who should worship you,
namely the humans stuck in their putrid bodies,
sunk in a carcass,
stricken by hunger and thirst.

7Why then do you envy those
who are homeless, Vāsava?
Relate the seers’ way of life,
let us hear what you say.’

8‘This is why I envy the
homeless, Mātali.
When they leave a village,
they proceed without concern.

9They hoard no goods in storerooms,
nor in pots or baskets.
They seek food prepared by others,
and, true to their vows, live on that.

10The attentive, whose words are full of wisdom,
live peacefully and quietly.
Gods fight with titans,
and mortals fight each other, Mātali.

11Not fighting among those who fight,
quenched among those who have taken up arms,
not grasping among those who grasp:
they’re who I worship, Mātali.’

12‘Those who you worship
seem to be the best in the world, Sakka.
I too will worship
those who you worship, Vāsava.’

13After saying this, Maghavā the chief,
king of gods, Sujā’s husband,
having worshiped the mendicant Saṅgha,
climbed into his chariot.”