經律異相 19.12

19.12

The Buddha said: 'The elephant at that time was this monk in the forest.' The Buddha further told the monks: 'In a past age, there were five hundred ṛṣis living in the Snow Mountains. At that time, one ṛṣi lived in a separate place, where there was a fine spring with luxuriant flowers and fruits. Not far from there, there was the Sāra River, and in the water was a nāga. Seeing the ṛṣi's dignified and composed deportment, the nāga felt affectionate regard and came to the ṛṣi's place, just when the ṛṣi was sitting cross-legged. The nāga coiled around the ṛṣi seven times and rested with its head covering his crown. It was like this day after day, coming at all times except mealtime. Because the nāga coiled around his body, the ṛṣi sat upright day and night without resting; his body grew emaciated and broke out in sores and scabs. At that time, there was a person living nearby who made offerings to the ṛṣi. He came to the ṛṣi's place, saw that he was emaciated and covered with scabies, and asked: "Why are you like this?" The ṛṣi recounted the above matter in detail. The person further asked: "Do you wish to make the nāga come no more?" He answered: "Yes." The person again said to the ṛṣi: "This nāga has an ornamental precious pearl on its throat; you can demand the pearl from the nāga. Nāgas by nature are stingy and will never give it to you. When the nāga comes, demand the pearl from it." When the nāga heard him begging for this, its mind was displeased, and it slowly withdrew and left. The next day, the nāga came and spoke a verse from afar: