1 Simple Version

At Sāvatthi. “Bhikkhus, there are these four modes of generation of nāgas. What four? Nāgas born from eggs, nāgas born from the womb, nāgas born from moisture, nāgas of spontaneous birth. These are the four modes of generation of nāgas.”

2 Superior

At Sāvatthi. “Bhikkhus, there are these four modes of generation of nāgas….

“Therein, Bhikkhus, nāgas born from the womb, from moisture, and born spontaneously are superior to nāgas born from eggs. Nāgas born from moisture and born spontaneously are superior to nāgas born from eggs and from the womb. Nāgas born spontaneously are superior to nāgas born from eggs, from the womb, and from moisture.

“These, Bhikkhus, are the four modes of generation of nāgas.”

3 The Uposatha (1)

At Sāvatthi. Then a certain Bhikkhu approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said to him: “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why some egg-born nāgas here observe the Uposatha and relinquish [concern for] their bodies?”

“Here, Bhikkhus, some egg-born nāgas think thus: ‘In the past we acted ambivalently in body, speech, and mind. Having done so, with the breakup of the body, after death, we were reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas. If today we practise good conduct of body, speech, and mind, then with the breakup of the body, after death, we shall be reborn in a happy destination, in a heavenly world. Come now, let us practise good conduct of body, speech, and mind.’

“This, Bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why some egg-born nāgas here observe the Uposatha and relinquish [concern for] their bodies.”

4–6 The Uposatha (2–4)

(The same is repeated for the other three types of nāgas.)

7 He Has Heard (1)

At Sāvatthi…. Sitting to one side, that Bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas?”

“Here, Bhikkhu, someone acts ambivalently in body, speech, and mind. He has heard: ‘Egg-born nāgas are long-lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.’ He thinks: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in the company of eggborn nāgas!’ Then, with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas.

“This, Bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas.”

8–10 He Has Heard (2–4)

(These three suttas repeat the same for the other three types of nāgas.)

11–20 With the Support of Giving (1)

Sitting to one side, that Bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas?”

“Here, Bhikkhu, someone acts ambivalently in body, speech, and mind. He has heard: ‘Egg-born nāgas are long-lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.’ He thinks: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in the company of eggborn nāgas!’ He gives food…. He gives drink…. He gives clothing…. He gives a vehicle…. He gives a garland…. He gives a fragrance…. He gives an unguent…. He gives a bed…. He gives a dwelling…. He gives a lamp. Then, with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas. “This, Bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of egg-born nāgas.”

21–50 With the Support of Giving (2–4)

(These three decads each repeat the preceding decad for the other three types of nāgas.)