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KULLAVAGGA.
V, 6, 1.
Now surely, that Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, had not let his love flow out over the four royal breeds of serpents ! Had he done so, he would not die of the bite of a snake. And which are the four royal breeds of serpents ? The Virdpakkhas are a royal breed. The Erâpathas are a royal breed. The Khabyâ puttas are a royal breed. The Kanhågotamakas are a royal breed. Now surely that Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, had not let his love flow out over the four royal breeds of serpents ! Had he done so, he would not die of the bite of a snake. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to make use of a safeguard for yourselves for your security and protection, by letting your love flow out over the four royal breeds of serpents. And thus, O Bhikkhus, are you to do so.
"" I love Virdpakkhas, the Erâpathas I love.
““I love Khabyâputtas, the Kanhâgotamakas I love.
"“I love live things that have no feet, the bipeds too I love.
""I love four-footed creatures, and things with many feet.
"" Let no footless thing do hurt to me, nor thing that has two feet.
"" Let no four-footed creature hurt, nor thing with many feet.
"" Let all creatures, all things that live, all beings of whatever kind,
"Let all behold good fortune', and let none fall into sin.
This phrase occurs in the passage at Mahâ-parinibbâna Sutta I, 31, by which Buddhaghosa is so much perplexed.
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