AN 3 The Book of the Threes – Tikanipāta > AN 3.31 With Brahmā

Numbered Discourses 3.31 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 3.31

4. Messengers of the Gods – 4. Devadūtavagga

AN 3.31 With Brahmā – Sabrahmakasutta

1.1

“Bhikkhū, a family where the children honor their parents in their home is said to live with Brahmā.

“Sabrahmakāni, bhikkhave, tāni kulāni yesaṁ puttānaṁ mātāpitaro ajjhāgāre pūjitā honti.

1.2

A family where the children honor their parents in their home is said to live with the first teachers.

Sapubbācariyakāni, bhikkhave, tāni kulāni yesaṁ puttānaṁ mātāpitaro ajjhāgāre pūjitā honti.

1.3

A family where the children honor their parents in their home is said to live with those worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods.

Sāhuneyyāni, bhikkhave, tāni kulāni yesaṁ puttānaṁ mātāpitaro ajjhāgāre pūjitā honti.

1.4

‘Brahmā’ is a term for your parents.

‘Brahmā’ti, bhikkhave, mātāpitūnaṁ etaṁ adhivacanaṁ.

1.5

‘First teachers’ is a term for your parents.

‘Pubbācariyā’ti, bhikkhave, mātāpitūnaṁ etaṁ adhivacanaṁ.

1.6

‘Worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods’ is a term for your parents.

‘Āhuneyyā’ti, bhikkhave, mātāpitūnaṁ etaṁ adhivacanaṁ.

1.7

Why is that?

Taṁ kissa hetu?

1.8

Parents are very helpful to their children, they raise them, nurture them, and show them the world.

Bahukārā, bhikkhave, mātāpitaro puttānaṁ, āpādakā posakā, imassa lokassa dassetāroti.

2.1

Parents are said to be ‘Brahmā’

Brahmāti mātāpitaro,

2.2

and ‘first teachers’, it’s said.

pubbācariyāti vuccare;

2.3

They’re worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods from their children,

Āhuneyyā ca puttānaṁ,

2.4

for they love their offspring.

pajāya anukampakā.

3.1

Therefore an astute person

Tasmā hi ne namasseyya,

3.2

would revere them and honor them

sakkareyya ca paṇḍito;

3.3

with food and drink,

Annena atha pānena,

3.4

clothes and bedding,

vatthena sayanena ca;

3.5

anointing and bathing,

Ucchādanena nhāpanena,

3.6

and by washing their feet.

pādānaṁ dhovanena ca.

4.1

Because they look after

Tāya naṁ pāricariyāya,

4.2

their parents like this,

mātāpitūsu paṇḍitā;

4.3

in this life they’re praised by the astute,

Idheva naṁ pasaṁsanti,

4.4

and they depart to rejoice in heaven.”

pecca sagge pamodatī”ti.

4.5

Paṭhamaṁ.