At Sāvatthi. There, the Blessed One said this: “Monks, once in the past a certain ugly and deformed demon sat down on the seat of Sakka, lord of the gods. At that time monks, the Tāvatiṁsa gods found fault with this, grumbled, and complained about it, saying, ‘It is wonderful indeed sir! It is amazing indeed, sir! This ugly, deformed demon has sat down on the seat of Sakka, lord of the gods!’
“But to whatever extent the Tāvatiṁsa gods found fault with this, grumbled, and complained about it, to that extent the demon became more and more handsome, more and more attractive, more and more bright.
“Then monks, the Tāvatiṁsa gods went to Sakka, lord of the gods and said to him: ‘Here, dear sir, an ugly, deformed demon has sat down on your seat. Then lord, the Tāvatiṁsa gods found fault with this and complained about it, saying: “It is wonderful indeed sir! It is amazing indeed, sir! This ugly, deformed demon has sat down on the seat of Sakka, Lord of the gods!” But lord, to whatever extent the Tāvatiṁsa gods found fault with this, grumbled, and complained about it, to that extent that demon became more and more handsome, more and more attractive, more and more bright.’
“‘Oh sirs, that must be the anger-eating demon,’ said Sakka. Then monks, Sakka, Lord of the gods, went to the anger-eating demon. Having gone, he put his upper cloth over one shoulder, knelt down with his right knee on the ground, and, putting his hands together worshiping respectfully the anger-eating demon, he said his own name three times: ‘I, dear sir, am Sakka, lord of the gods! I, dear sir, am Sakka, lord of the gods!’
“To whatever extent Sakka, lord of the gods, said his name, to the same extent that demon became uglier and uglier and more and more deformed until he disappeared right there.
“Then, monks, having sat down on his own seat, instructing the Tāvatiṁsa gods, Sakka, lord of the gods, on that occasion recited these verses:
“‘I am not one who hurts his own mind, nor is easily taken by anger. I have not gotten angry for a long time. Therefore anger does not stay in me.
“‘When I’m angry I do not speak harshly, I only speak beneficial words. Seeing the benefit that comes to me from that patience, I always focus on my own faults.’”
