-N.I.2673]                  How Magha became Sakka                          315

If a man support his mother and father, if he honor his elders in the household,
If he be gentle and friendly in conversation, if he avoid backbiting.
If he steadfastly put away avarice, if he be truthful, if he suppress anger.
Such a man the Gods of the Thirty-three call a good man.

When the Teacher said, "This, Mahali, was what Sakka did in
his previous existence as Prince Magha," Mahali, desiring to hear the
whole story of his conduct, asked the Teacher, "Reverend Sir, how
did Prince Magha conduct himself?" "Well then," said the Teacher,
"listen."    So saying, he related the following

7 b. Story of the Past: How Magha became Sakka

In times long past a prince named Magha lived in the village of
Macala in the kingdom of Magadha. [266] One day he went to the
place where the business of the village was carried on, removed with
his foot the dust from the place where he stood, and having made a
comfortable place for himself, stood there. Thereupon another struck
him with his arm, pushed him aside, and took his place. But instead
of becoming angry at the man, he made another comfortable place for
himself and stood there. Thereupon another struck him with his arm,
pushed him away, and took his place. But neither did he allow him¬
self to become angry at this man; he merely made another comfortable
place for himself and stood there. In like manner one man after
another came out of his house, struck him with his arm, and pushed him
away from the place which he had cleared for himself.

The prince thought to himself, "All these men appear to be pleased.
Since this work of mine conduces to the happiness of men, it must be a
meritorious work." So on the following day he took a spade and cleared
a space as big as a threshing-fioor, whereupon all the men came and
stood there. In cold weather he built a fire to warm them, so that
the place became a favorite resort for all. Then he thought to himself,
"It behooves me to take upon myself the task of making the road
smooth and even." So early in the morning he started out to make
the road smooth and even, cutting down and removing all the branches
of trees that needed to be removed.   Thus did he spend his time.

Another man saw him and said to him, "Master, what are you
doing?" He replied, "Master, I am treading the Path that leads to
Heaven." "I also am your companion." "Be my companion, master;
heaven is a pleasant place for many." [267] Seeing these two, a third
man asked the same question, received the same answer, and joined
them; then a fourth, then a fifth, until finally there were thirty-three.