SN 6.3 · Pali Canon (Tipiṭaka) – English & Pāli · Verses Across
Buddhism · Sutta Pitaka · Linked Discourses (Saṁyutta)
SN 6.3
With Brahmadeva · Brahmadevasutta
EnglishEnglish
PāliPali
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time a certain brahmin lady had a son named Brahmadeva, who had gone forth from the lay life to homelessness in the presence of the Buddha.
Then Venerable Brahmadeva, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness. He understood: “Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.” And Venerable Brahmadeva became one of the perfected.
Then Brahmadeva robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Wandering indiscriminately for almsfood in Sāvatthī, he approached his own mother’s home. Now at that time Brahmadeva’s mother, the brahmin lady, was presenting a regular oblation to the Divinity. Then the divinity Sahampati thought, “This Venerable Brahmadeva’s mother, the brahmin lady, offers up a regular oblation to the Divinity. Why don’t I go and stir up a sense of urgency in her?” Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from the realm of divinity and reappeared in the home of Brahmadeva’s mother. Then the divinity Sahampati, while standing in the air, addressed Brahmadeva’s mother in verse:
“Far from here is the realm of divinity, madam, to which you present a regular oblation. But the Divinity doesn’t eat that kind of food. Why pray, when you don’t know the path to divinity?
This Brahmadeva, madam, free of attachments, has surpassed the gods. Owning nothing, providing for no other, a mendicant has entered your house for alms.
Eso hi te brāhmaṇi brahmadevo, Nirūpadhiko atidevapatto; Akiñcano bhikkhu anaññaposī, Yo te so piṇḍāya gharaṁ paviṭṭho.
He’s worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, a knowledge master, evolved. He’s worthy of a religious donation from gods and men. Having banished all evils, he’s unsullied. Cool at heart, he wanders searching for food.
He has no before and after, peaceful, unclouded, untroubled, with no need for hope, he has laid down the rod for all creatures firm and frail. So let him enjoy your offering of alms for the highest.
Na tassa pacchā na puratthamatthi, Santo vidhūmo anigho nirāso; Nikkhittadaṇḍo tasathāvaresu, So tyāhutiṁ bhuñjatu aggapiṇḍaṁ.
With peaceful mind, he has left the crowd, he wanders like a tamed elephant, unperturbed. He’s a mendicant fair in ethics, with heart well freed. So let him enjoy your offering of alms for the highest.
With unwavering confidence in him, present your religious donation to one who is worthy of it. Now that you’ve seen the sage who has crossed over, madam, make merit for the sake of future happiness!”
With unwavering confidence in him, she presented her religious donation to one who is worthy of it. After seeing the sage who had crossed over, the brahmin lady made merit for the sake of future happiness.
