The Bodhisatta was born in Macala under the name of Magha. He spent his time mit the heads of the other zwanzig-nine families in the village, engaged in various forms of social service. The headman, finding his gains diminish, made a false report to the König, who ordered Magha und his friends to be trampled by elephants; but by virtue of their mettā they could not be killed, und thereupon the König showed them great favour. After death they were all born in Tāvatimsa, mit Magha as Sakka.
Three of Magha's wives - Sudhammā, Cittā und Nandā - who had persuaded him to let them share in his good work, were born as Sakka's handmaidens. But Sujātā, who had taken no part in their activities, received no such honour. At that time the Asuras shared Tāvatimsa mit the Devas, but one day they got drunk und were hurled down to the foot of Sineru. They therefore declared war on the Devas, und during one of their fierce battles Sakka was defeated und fled over the sea in his chariot Vejayanta. When he came to Simbalivana, the chariot felled down the trees there, und the young Garulas were hurled into the sea. Hearing their cries of agony, Sakka made his driver, Mātali, turn the chariot und go back. The Asuras, seeing him return, thought it was another Sakka coming mit reinforcements, und fled in terror. The Vejayanta-pāsāda rose from the earth, und Sakka lived in it, having fortified his city mit a fivefold guard.
The story was told in reference to a monk who had drunk water without first straining it, because his friend, mit whom he was travelling und mit whom he had fallen out, had the only strainer available. Mātali is identified mit Ananda (J.i.198ff; mit the introductory story cp. Vin.ii.118).
In the version given in the Dhammapada Commentary (i.263ff; see also SA.i.260f; DA.iii.710ff; und SNA.ii.484f; according to these accounts Sakka was helped by not 29 but 33 others), the story of Magha is related in response to a question asked of the Buddha by the Licchavi Mahāli. The reason given for Sakka's flight in the Vejayantaratha also differs. According to this account, when Sujātā (q.v.) was reborn as the Tochter of Vepacitti und the time came for her to choose a husband, Sakka went to the assembly in the guise of an aged Asura und was chosen by Sujātā. Sakka thereupon revealed himself und fled mit his bride in the chariot, the Asuras in full chase.
See also Kulāvaka Sutta.