7.
The Discourse on the Serpent King
67.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Now at that time in Sāvatthī a certain monk, bitten by a snake, had died.
Then several monks approached the Blessed One;
having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, those monks said this to the Blessed One -
"Here, venerable sir, in Sāvatthī a certain monk, bitten by a snake, has died."
"Surely, monks, that monk did not pervade the four royal families of serpents with a mind of friendliness. If, monks, that monk had pervaded the four royal families of serpents with a mind of friendliness, then, monks, that monk, bitten by a snake, would not have died.
"What are the four? The Virūpakkha royal family of serpents, the Erāpatha royal family of serpents, the Chabyāputta royal family of serpents, the Kaṇhāgotamaka royal family of serpents. Surely, monks, that monk did not pervade these four royal families of serpents with a mind of friendliness. If, monks, that monk had pervaded these four royal families of serpents with a mind of friendliness, then, monks, that monk, bitten by a snake, would not have died.
"I allow, monks, to pervade these four royal families of serpents with a mind of friendliness for self-protection, for self-guarding, for self-safety."
I have friendliness with the Chabyāputtas, and I have friendliness with the Kaṇhāgotamakas.
I have friendliness with the four-footed, I have friendliness with the many-footed.
May the four-footed not harm me, may the many-footed not harm me.
May all see good fortune, may no evil come to anyone.
Immeasurable is the Community, measurable are the creeping things.
Protection has been made by me, safety has been made by me, may beings withdraw;
I pay homage to the Blessed One, homage to the seven Perfectly Enlightened Ones." The seventh.