The Naga and the Brother: A Lesson in Moderation

The Tale
In a past life, the Bodhisatta was an ascetic living near the banks of the Ganges River with his younger brother. One day, a naga king, taking the form of a man, wandered by their humble huts. He and the younger brother quickly became close friends, and the naga began visiting regularly. Over time, the naga king grew so fond of the brother that, one day, as he was leaving, he shed his human disguise and wrapped the brother in a tight, affectionate embrace.

The younger brother was horrified. He had never encountered such a creature, and his fear grew with each visit. Soon, he became pale, weak, and sickly, unable to sleep or eat properly. Desperate, he told the Bodhisatta about the naga’s visits and the torment it caused him.

The Bodhisatta, ever wise, offered a solution. He suggested that the next time the naga came, his brother should ask the naga for his precious jewel, and do so three times. The naga, who prized his jewel, would be so annoyed by the demand that he would never return.

Following his brother’s advice, the younger brother waited for the naga’s next visit. As soon as the naga arrived, the brother asked for the jewel. True to the Bodhisatta’s prediction, the naga left in a huff. The following day, the brother repeated his request, and the naga again departed in anger. On the third day, the brother asked for the jewel just as the naga emerged from the river. The naga, frustrated and insulted, told the brother he was too demanding, that he would not give up his jewel, and that he would never visit again.

When the Bodhisatta next visited his brother, he found him in a worse condition than before—depressed, lonely, and even more miserable. His once-friend, the naga, had gone for good. The Bodhisatta, seeing his brother’s suffering, reassured him with comforting words, urging him to move on and be content without the naga’s company.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha
The younger brother in this story was an earlier incarnation of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s most devoted disciples. There was an occasion when some of the Buddha’s disciples, seeking new quarters, became so persistent in their requests for alms and lodging that they alienated the townspeople. The locals grew weary of their demands, and when the disciples approached, the people would leave, avoiding them altogether.

Maha Kassapa, another of the Buddha’s foremost disciples, found it difficult to get alms because of this. Other disciples explained why this had happened, and Maha Kassapa went to the Buddha to seek guidance. The Buddha then gathered the monks and spoke sternly to them about the harm their excessive demands were causing. He recounted the story of the naga and the younger brother to show them how even the wealthiest and most powerful beings, like nagas, could grow tired of constant, unreasonable demands.

The Buddha used this tale to remind his disciples that patience, respect, and moderation were key in their relationships with others. He emphasized that persistent demands, even if well-intentioned, could lead to rejection and alienation.

Moral
This story teaches the importance of tempering one’s requests with respect and consideration for others. Even the most generous hearts can become weary of relentless demands. It is a reminder that kindness and gratitude are more likely to yield positive results than selfishness or greed. Through this, the Buddha encouraged his disciples to be mindful of their conduct, understanding that excessive insistence can lead to the loss of valuable relationships.