Saṁyutta Nikāya:
III. Khandhā Vagga:
29: Nāga Saṁutta

Kindred Sayings on Nāgas

Sutta 8

Dutiya Tassa (aka Suta) Suttaṁ

Hearsay (2)

 

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Thus have I heard:

The Exalted One was once staying near Sāvatthī
at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

Then a certain brother came to the Exalted One,
and saluting him
sat down at one side.

So seated
that brother thus addressed the Exalted One:

"What is the reason, lord,
what is the cause
why a certain one,
when body breaks up after death
is reborn in the company of the womb-born nagas?"

"Herein, brother, a certain one is
a double-dealer in act,
a double-dealer in word
a double-dealer in thought.

He hears it said:

"The womb-born nāgas are long-lived,
fair to see
and have much happiness."

Then he thinks:

"0 that when body breaks up after death
I might be born in the company
of the womb-born nāgas!"

When body breaks up after death
a double-dealer in act,
a double-dealer in word
a double-dealer in thought
is born in the company
of the womb-born nāgas.

This is the reason, brother,
this is the cause
why a certain one,
when body breaks up after death
is reborn in the company of the womb-born nāgas."