Pamadam Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

The origin is Sàvatthi.

At that time the Blessed One was in seclusion after the midday meal.

Then Subrahma the individual brahma and an individual brahma of the pure abodes approached the Blessed One, and one individual stood outside the gate.

Then Subrahma the brahma said this to the brahma of the pure abodes: "Sir, it's not the right time to associate the Blessed One. Either he is resting after the midday meal, in seclusion. A cetain world of brahmas is prosperous and opulent and the brahmas abide negligently. Venerable sir, let us approach that world of the brahma and arouse consternation in them."

Then brahma Subrahma agreed with the individual Brahma of the pure abodes.

Then brahma Subrahma and the Brahma of pure abodes disappeared from the presence of the Blessed One and appeared in that world.

That brahma seeing them coming in the distance asked, "Sirs, from where do you come?"

"Sir, we come from the presence of the worthy, rightfully enlightened Blessed One. Do you go to attend on that worthy, rightfully enlightened Blessed One?"

When this was said, that brahmasa could not endure those words and creating one thousand selves said thus to Subrahma, and the brahma of the pure abodes: "Sirs, do you see my psychic powers?"

"Sir, we see your psychic powers."

"Sirs, I hold such psychic powers, why should I go to attend on other recluses and Brahmins?"

Then Subrahma and the brahma of the pure abodes, creating two thousands of selves, said thus to that brahma: "Sir, do you see our psychic powers?"

"Sirs, we see your psychic powers"

"Sir, the psychic powers of the Blessed One superior to your psychic powers as well as our psychic powers. Therefore it is suitable that you should go to attend on the worthy, rightfully enlightened Blessed One."

Then that Brahma said these stanzas to Subrahma and the brahma of pure abodes:


 * "Brahma, the three `fair winged ones' the four swans, the five hundred hawks
 * And the concentrator, illuminate your palace and the future day."


 * "How ever much they illuminate the palace and the future direction
 * Seeing the destruction of matter they tremble, therefore the wise do not delight in matter."

Then Subrahma and the brahma of the pure abodes arousing consternation in that brahma vanished from there.

After some time that brahma came to attend on the worthy, rightfully enlightened, Blessed One.