Once on a time, while Brahmadatta was king of Benares, a great multitude gathered together in Benares to celebrate the festival. Crowds of men and of gods, of serpents, and garulas, came together to see the meeting.

It so happened that in one spot a Serpent and a Garula were watching the proceedings together. The Serpent, not noticing that this was a Garula beside him, laid a hand on his shoulder. And when the Garula turned and looked round to see whose hand had been laid upon his shoulder, he saw the Serpent. The Serpent looked too, and saw that this was a Garula; and frightened to death, he flew off over the surface of a river.

Now the Bodhisatta was a recluse, and lived in a leaf hut on the river bank. At that time he was trying to keep off the sun’s heat by putting on a wet cloth and doffing his garment of bark; and he was bathing in the river. The Serpent thought, “I will make this recluse the means of saving my life.” Putting off his own proper shape, and assuming the form of a fine jewel, he fixed himself upon the bark garment. The Garula in full pursuit saw where he had gone; but for very reverence he would not touch the garment; so he addressed the Bodhisatta:

“Sir! I am hungry. Look at your bark garment: in it there is a serpent which I desire to eat.”

Standing where he was in the water, the Bodhisatta said:

“Live long, preserved by Brahma, though pursued,

And may you never lack for heavenly food.

Do not, in reverence of my holiness,

Do not devour him, though in hungry mood.”

In these words the Bodhisatta expressed his approval, standing there in the water. Then he came out, and put on his bark garment, and took both creatures with him to his hermitage; where he rehearsed the blessings of Loving until they were both at one. Then onwards they lived together happily in peace and harmony.