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218
MAHÂVAGGA.
1, 63, 2.
I could obtain pabbaggå with the Sakyaputtiya Samanas, I should be released from being a serpent and quickly obtain human nature.'
2. Then that serpent, in the shape of a youth, went to the Bhikkhus, and asked them for the pabbaggâ ordination ; the Bhikkhus conferred on him the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations.
At that time that serpent dwelt together with a certain Bhikkhu in the last Vihara (near the boundary wall of the Getavana). Now that Bhikkhu, having arisen in the night, at dawn, was walking up and down in the open air. When that Bhikkhu had left (the Vihâra), that serpent, who thought himself safe (from discovery), fell asleep (in his natural shape). The whole Vihâra was filled with the snake's body; his windings jutted out of the window.
3. Then that Bhikkhu thought: 'I will go back to the Vihâra,' opened the door, and saw the whole Vihâra filled with the snake's body, the windings jutting out of the window. Seeing that he was terrified and cried out. The Bhikkhus ran up, and said to that Bhikkhu : Why did you cry out, friend ?' *This whole Vihâra, friends, is filled with a snake's body; the windings jut out of the window.'
Then that serpent awoke from that noise and sat down on his seat. The Bhikkhus said to him : "Who are you, friend ?' 'I am a serpent, reverend Sirs.' 'And why have you done such a thing, friend ?? Then that Nâga told the whole matter to the Bhikkhus; the Bhikkhus told it to the Blessed One.
4. In consequence of that and on this occasion the Blessed One, having ordered the fraternity of
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| SR No. | 007674 |
| Book Title | Dhammapada |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Max Muller |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1881 |
| Total Pages | 2540 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 45 MB |