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# SN 2:17 · Subrahma the Deva’s Son (Subrahma Sutta)
- URL: https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/sn-2-17/
- Published: 2026-06-01T00:31:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-13T16:41:46.000Z
- Description: Saṁyutta Nikāya · SN 2:17. Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
- Author: Ninth Heaven Literature & Arts Association (NHLAA)
- Tags: Buddhism, Sutta Piṭaka, Text, Indian, The Buddha, Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, Saṁyutta Nikāya, Verse, Pali, Early Buddhist, Library, #Import 2026-07-06 03:31

Standing to one side, Subrahma the deva’s son recited this verse to the Blessed One:

“Constantly troubled is this mind,

constantly trembling this heart,

over duties[1](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN2%5F17.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) that have yet to arise,

and those already arisen.

If there is an Untroubled,

point it out to me, when asked.”

The Buddha:

“Apart from the factors for awakening, austerity,[2](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN2%5F17.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co)

apart from sense-faculty restraint,

apart from relinquishing the all,[3](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN2%5F17.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co)

I see no safety

for living beings.”

That is what the Blessed One said… the deva disappeared right there.

Notes

1\. Reading *kiccesu* with the Thai version. The Burmese version has *kicchesu,* “troubles.”

2\. Reading *bojjhaṅga-tapasā* with the Thai version. The Burmese version has *bojjhā tapasā,* “from awakening, from austerity.” The Commentary notes that *bojjhaṅga/bojjhā* refers to the development of the factors of awakening (see [MN 118](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/mn-118/)). *Tapasā,* it says, refers to undertaking the dhutaṅga practices (see [Thag 16:7](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/thag-16-7/)).

3\. On the definition of the all, see [SN 35:23](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/sn-35-23/).

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*Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. © 2014 / rev. 2017 Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu — released under the [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) licence, for free distribution only. Source: [dhammatalks.org](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN2%5F17.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) (Metta Forest Monastery).*