This is what I heard from the Blessed One. Those days, the Blessed One was living in the province of Rājagaha, at the Bamboo Park, the Squirrels’ Sanctuary. One day, Venerable Mahā Kassapa was staying at the Pipphali Cave, sitting for seven days straight, having attained a certain type of concentration. Then, after seven days, he emerged from that concentration. Emerging from that concentration, this thought occurred to him, “What if I were to go into Rājagaha for alms?”
Now on that occasion 500 gods were eager for the chance to give alms to Venerable Mahā Kassapa. But Venerable Mahā Kassapa, turning down those 500 gods, early in the morning wore his robe and carrying his bowl and robes went into Rājagaha for alms.
On that occasion Sakka, the god-king, wanted to give alms to Venerable Mahā Kassapa. Disguising himself as a weaver, he was working a loom, while Sujātā, the asura-wife, filled the shuttle. Then, as Venerable Mahā Kassapa was going on his alms round, he arrived at Sakka’s home. Sakka saw him coming from afar and, on seeing him, came out of the house to meet him. Taking the bowl from his hand, entered the house, took cooked rice from the pot, filled the bowl, and gave it back to Venerable Mahā Kassapa. That gift of alms included many kinds of delicious curry and many kinds of appetizing sauces.
The thought occurred to Venerable Mahā Kassapa, “Now, who is this being with such psychic powers?” Then the thought occurred to him, “This is Sakka, the god-king, isn’t it?” On realizing this, he said to Sakka, “Is this your doing, Kosiya? Don’t ever do anything like this again.”
“We, too, need merit, Venerable Kassapa. We, too, have use for merit.”
Then, bowing down to Venerable Mahā Kassapa and circling him to the right, Sakka rose up into the air and, while up in the sky, said three times:
“O the alms, the foremost alms, offered to Arahant Kassapa!”
“O the alms, the foremost alms, offered to Arahant Kassapa!”
“O the alms, the foremost alms, offered to Arahant Kassapa!”
The Blessed One with his divine ear, surpassing that of the human, heard Sakka the god-king, while up in the sky, saying three times:
“O the alms, the foremost alms, offered to Arahant Kassapa!”
“O the alms, the foremost alms, offered to Arahant Kassapa!”
“O the alms, the foremost alms, offered to Arahant Kassapa!”
Then, on realizing the power of liberation, the Blessed One spoke the following inspired verses:
“The monk going for alms, searches for something only to feed himself. He does not feed others. He is not shaken by ups and downs of life. He is calm and ever mindful. Even gods hold dear such a monk.”
