With Nāgadatta

At one time Venerable Nāgadatta was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove. ^[1]

Now at that time Venerable Nāgadatta had been entering the village too early and returning late in the day.

Then the deity haunting that forest had sympathy for Nāgadatta, wanting what’s best for him. So they approached him wanting to stir him up, and recited these verses:

“Entering the village too early, ^[2]

and returning too late in the day,

Nāgadatta mixes with lay people,

sharing their joys and sorrows.

I’m afraid for Nāgadatta; he’s reckless,

shackled to families.

May he not come under the King of Death’s power,

under the sway of the terminator!”

Impelled by that deity, Venerable Nāgadatta was struck with a sense of urgency.