Moggallana Bhante:

Devata, just like the god Sakka, you walk around here in Cittalata Park surrounded by many goddesses. Your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.

What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?

Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious actions did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?

That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.

Devata:

Bhante, in my previous life I was a girl in the human world. I was a servant working in other people’s houses. I was very fortunate to be a lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. Gautama Supreme Buddha knew everything about the world. Nothing could shake his peace of mind. Following my great teacher’s instructions, all I wished for was to escape from this cycle of birth and death.

I will try my best to practice the Dhamma. Even when my body breaks up, I will not give up my effort. This excellent path to Nibbana was discovered by the Supreme Buddhas. This is a straight, secure, and pure path. This Dhamma path leading to Nibbana includes the Five Precepts. Even though I am a woman, you will see how committed I am to achieve the result of the path.

Even the powerful god Sakka invites me to his entertaining events. Sixty thousand musical instruments are played to wake me from my sleep. Many gods such as Alamba, Gaggara, Bhima, Sadhuvadin, Samsaya, Pokkhara, and Suphassa and many goddesses such as Vinamokkha, Nanda, Sunanda, Sonadinna, Sucimhita, Alambusa, Missakesi, Pundarika, Eniphassa, Suphassa, Subhadda, and Muduvadini entertain me by playing music. They come into my presence whenever I wish and delight me by saying, “Let’s dance now! Let’s sing now!”

Only those who have done meritorious deeds can enjoy this heavenly Nandana Park in the sorrowless Tavatimsa Heaven, not those who did no meritorious deeds. Doers of good enjoy happiness in this life and the next, but doers of evil will receive unhappiness in this life and the next.

Anyone who would like to join us in the Tavatimsa Heaven must do lots of wholesome deeds. Only those who do good deeds are reborn in heaven and enjoy divine entertainment.