This is how I heard. At one time, the Blessed One was staying in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery at Jeta’s garden in the province of Sāvatthi. Then Sakka, lord of the gods, went to the Blessed One, paid homage to the Blessed One and stood to one side. Then Sakka, lord of the gods, asked the Blessed One a question in verse:
“Oh venerable Gotama, what does one need to burn to sleep peacefully? What does one need to burn to not sorrow? What is the one thing whose killing you would approve?”
The Blessed One:
“Oh God Sakka, having burned anger one sleeps peacefully. Having burned anger one does not sorrow. The killing of anger with its poisoned root and honeyed tip (taking revenge) is the killing that the noble ones praise. Having burned anger indeed one does not sorrow.”
