Udāna — Exclamações — 2.1 — With Mucalinda

1So I have heard. At one time, when he was first awakened, the Buddha was staying in Uruvelā at the root of the Mucalinda tree on the bank of the Nerañjarā River. There the Buddha sat cross-legged for seven days without moving, experiencing the bliss of freedom.

2Just then a large storm blew up out of season, bringing seven days of precipitation, with cold winds and overcast skies. Mucalinda, the dragon king, came out from his abode, encircled the Buddha’s body with seven coils and spread his large hood over his head, thinking, “May the Buddha not be hot or cold, nor be bothered by flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, or reptiles.”

3When seven days had passed, the Buddha emerged from that state of immersion. When he knew the heavens were clear and cloudless, Mucalinda unwrapped his coils from the Buddha’s body. Hiding his own form, he manifested in the form of a brahmin youth. He stood in front of the Buddha, venerating him with cupped palms.

4Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

5“Seclusion is happiness for the contented
who see the teaching they have learned.
Kindness for the world is happiness
for one who’d not harm a living creature.

6Dispassion for the world is happiness
for one who has gone beyond sensual pleasures.
But dispelling the conceit ‘I am’
is truly the ultimate happiness.”