經律異相 48.54

48.54

Dragons are of four kinds: first, egg-born; second, womb-born; third, moisture-born; fourth, transformationally born. All formerly had much anger and crooked, untruthful minds, yet practiced great giving; hence they have now received this bodily form. They have palaces made of the seven jewels (the location of the palaces is described in the section on the garuḍa birds). Their bodies are forty li tall. Their robes are forty li long, eighty li wide, and weigh two and a half liang. Endowed with sovereign supernormal powers, they enjoy foods of a hundred flavors; the final mouthful turns into a toad. If their transformed retinues arouse the aspiration for awakening, giving black robes to beggars so that all dragons can each provide offerings, then sand does not rain upon their bodies and they are freed from numerous tribulations (it is also said: if they transform their bodies into snakes and vipers, they encounter neither toads nor garuḍas). They eat soft-shelled turtles, alligators, fish, and freshwater tortoises as solid food (the Loutan jing says dragons eat fish, tortoises, and large diweitili fish). Bathing and clothing serve as fine and delicate food. They also have marriage; their bodies touch to achieve copulation. Their lifespan is one kalpa, though for some it is shortened. Only sixteen kings are spared from being eaten by garuḍas: first, Sāgara; second, Nanda; third, Upananda; fourth, Elāpattra; fifth, Dhṛtarāṣṭra; sixth, Sudarśana; seventh, Axu; eighth, Gākura; ninth, Kapila; tenth, Apalāla; eleventh, Jani; twelfth, Kujani; thirteenth, Anavatapta; fourteenth, Supratiṣṭhita; fifteenth, Uśamkapaduma; sixteenth, Takṣaka. (The Loutan jing lists sixty-three; extracted from the Dīrgha Āgama, Loutan jing, and the Dàzhìdù lùn).