Brahma Deva Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

Thus I heard. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anàthapiõóika in Jeta's grove in Sàvatthi.

At that time a certain Brahmin woman's son by name Brahmadeva had become homeless and gone forth in the dispensation of the Blessed One

Then venerable Brahmadeva secluded and withdrawn from the crowd abode diligently with aroused effort to dispel. With whatever aim sons of clansmen rightfully leave the household and become homeless, that noble aim and ultimate end of the holy life, here and now he attained, realized and abode. He knew birth is destroyed, the duty of the holy life is done, there's nothing to wish further. And venerable Brahmadeva became a worthy one.

One day venerable Brahmadeva put on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes entered Sàvatthi for alms. Wandering for alms in due order, approached his own mother's home.

At that time venerable Brahmadeva's mother, a Brahmin woman was steadfastly making adoration to Brahma with out stretched arms.

Then it occurred to Brahma Sahampathy: "Venerable Brahmadeva's mother, the Brahmin woman is steadfastly making adoration to Brahma with out stretched arms. What if I approach her and cause remorse in her?"

Then Brahma Sahampathy, as quickly as a strong man would stretch his bent arm, or bend his stretched arm, vanished from the world of Brahma and appeared in the dwelling of venerable Brahmadeva's mother.

Then Brahma Sahampathy standing above venerable Brahmadeva's mother said these stanzas:

"Brahmin woman, that Brahma to whom you make steadfast adorations with out stretched arms Is far away, does not partake this, without knowing his sphere, what do you desire? Brahmin woman, your Brahmadeva is standing here. He is passionless, has attained the highest godliness The bhikkhu has nothing and is not fed by another. He has entered your house for morsel food. He is worthy of offerings, attained knowledge and is composed, He is worthy of gifts from gods and men Is washed and not soiled by demerit, cooled, is in search of food. He has neither a past nor a future, is appeased, emancipated, Not confused he is without desires. He does not hurt the unsteady or steady. Today, offer the first morsel of food to him Without enemies he is with appeased mind. Like a tamed elephant's his behavior is pure The virtuous bhikikhu is with released mind Today, offer the first morsel of food to him Pleased in him and dispelling doubts, Offer gifts to the worthy of gifts! Do merit for future pleasantness! The Brahmin woman crossed the floods seeing the sage."

Pleased seeing him, she dispelling doubts, She offered gifts to the worthy of gifts. Did merit for pleasant results in the future And the Brahmin woman crossed the floods seeing the sage.