Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c30.639

v2.c30.639

One day a brahmin villager and his son, Somadatta, went hunting in the forest and spent the night on a banyan tree where Bhūridatta lay. At dawn, these two saw the Nāga maidens come for Bhūridatta and witnessed their song and dance, which Bhūridatta, having laid aside his snake-form, much enjoyed. Discovering the presence of the villagers, Bhūridatta entered into conversation with them, and invited them to the Nāga-world, where they passed a whole year, enjoying great luxury. Owing to lack of merit, the villagers grew discontented and wished to return to the world of men on the pretext that they wished to become ascetics. Bhūridatta offered them a wish-conferring jewel, but this they refused, saying that they had no use for it. Once in the world of men, Somadatta and his father took off their ornaments to bathe, but these divine ornaments disappeared to the Nāga-world.