Saṁyutta Nikāya 29: Nāgasaṁyutta

Connected Discourses on Nāgas

1. Simple Version

1At Sāvatthī. “Bhikkhus, there are these four modes of generation of nāgas.284 On the nāgas and the beings featured in the next three saṁyuttas, see Introduction to Part III, pp. 850-51. The four modes of generation (yoni) are intended to comprise all sentient beings; see MN I 73,3-15. According to Spk, the Buddha spoke this sutta in order to rescue these bhikkhus from the nāga modes of generation (nāgayonīhi uddharaṇatthaṁ; or Se: ukkaṇṭhanatthaṁ, to make them fed up with the nāga modes of generation). What four? Nāgas born from eggs, nāgas born from the womb, nāgas born from moisture, nāgas of spontaneous birth. These are the four modes of generation of nāgas.”

2. Superior

1At Sāvatthī. “Bhikkhus, there are these four modes of generation of nāgas…. [241]

2“Therein, bhikkhus, nāgas born from the womb, from moisture, and born spontaneously are superior to nāgas born from eggs. Nāgas born from moisture and born spontaneously are superior to nāgas born from eggs and from the womb. Nāgas born spontaneously are superior to nāgas born from eggs, from the womb, and from moisture.

3“These, bhikkhus, are the four modes of generation of nāgas.”

3. The Uposatha (1)

1At Sāvatthī. Then a certain bhikkhu approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said to him: “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why some egg-born nāgas here observe the Uposatha and relinquish [concern for] their bodies?”285 Uposathaṁ upavasanti vossaṭṭhakāyā ca bhavanti. According to Buddhist folklore, the nāgas can undertake the precepts of virtue on the Uposatha days (see I, n. 513), and may even resolve to uphold the precepts at the cost of their lives. The classic illustration is the Campeyya Jātaka (No. 506), in which the Bodhisatta, reborn as a nāga-king, maintains the Uposatha precepts even when cruelly tormented by a snake-charmer. Spk-pṭ: “Relinquish their bodies”: as they are determined to maintain the precepts, they have given up their bodies with a mind of unconcern, thinking, “Let those who have need of my skin, blood, or bones take them all.”

2“Here, bhikkhus, some egg-born nāgas think thus: ‘In the past we acted ambivalently in body, speech, and mind.286 Spk glosses dvayakārino with duvidhakārino, and explains that they do both wholesome and unwholesome deeds. Having done so, with the breakup of the body, after death, we were reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas. If today we practise good conduct of body, speech, and mind, then with the breakup of the body, after death, we shall be reborn in a happy destination, in a heavenly world. Come now, let us practise good conduct of body, speech, and mind.’

3“This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why some egg-born nāgas here observe the Uposatha and relinquish [concern for] their bodies.” [242]

4-6. The Uposatha (2-4)

1(The same is repeated for the other three types of nāgas.) [243]

7. He Has Heard (1)

1At Sāvatthī…. Sitting to one side, that bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas?”

2“Here, bhikkhu, someone acts ambivalently in body, speech, and mind. He has heard: ‘Egg-born nāgas are long-lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.’ He thinks: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas!’ Then, with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas.

3“This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas.”

8-10. He Has Heard (2-4)

(These three suttas repeat the same for the other three types of nāgas.)

[244]

11-20. With the Support of Giving (1)

1Sitting to one side, that bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why [245] someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas?”

2“Here, bhikkhu, someone acts ambivalently in body, speech, and mind. He has heard: ‘Egg-born nāgas are long-lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.’ He thinks: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas!’ He gives food…. He gives drink…. He gives clothing…. He gives a vehicle…. He gives a garland…. He gives a fragrance…. He gives an unguent…. He gives a bed…. He gives a dwelling…. He gives a lamp.287 Each gift item is the subject of a separate sutta. Then, with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas.

3“This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas.”

21-50. With the Support of Giving (2-4)

1(These three decads each repeat the preceding decad for the other three types of nāgas.) [246]