The twenty first discourse of the Dīghanikāya (D.ii.263-89). Sakka visits the Buddha at the Indasālaguhā in Vediya mountain, and, having obtained leave from the Buddha through Pañcasikha, asks why beings cannot live without quarrelling. The Buddha replies that it is due to envy and avarice (issamacchariyaṃ). This leads to a series of fourteen questions on the causes of:

Envy (issā) and avarice (macchariya),

Like (piyaṃ) and dislike (āppiyaṃ),

of desire (chanda),

of mental preoccupation (vitakka),

obsession (papañcasaññāsaṅkhā),

happiness (somanassa),

sorrow (domanassa),

equanimity (upekkha),

good behaviour of body

good speech (as enjoined in the Pāṭimokkha),

right pursuit (pariyesanā),

control of the sense faculties,

the presence of divers persuasions (aneka-dhātu), and

failure in attaining the right ideal.

For details of this visit see Sakka. A summary of the Sutta is given at DA.iii.738.

The Sutta also contains the story of the Sakyan maiden Gopikā. Sakka is greatly pleased with the Buddha’s answers, and, together with eighty thousand devas, becomes a Stream-winner.

In order to show his gratitude to Pañcasikha, he obtains for him as his wife, Timbaru’s daughter, Bhaddā Suriyavaccasā.

The sutta is quoted by name at S.iii.13.

Buddhaghosa says that the sutta comes under the Vedalla division. DA.i.24; also Gv.67.