Thus have I heard: On one occasion the Blessed One was living in Sāvatthi at Jetavana, at Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. During that time, at Sāvatthi, a monk had passed away having been bitten by a snake. Thereupon many monks approached the Blessed One, and having saluted him, sat beside him. So seated, those monks spoke thus to the Blessed One: “Oh Bhante, a certain monk at Sāvatthi has died, having been bitten by a snake.”
“Monks, that monk did not radiate thoughts of loving-kindness towards the four royal tribes of snakes. Monks, had he done so, that monk would not have died of a snake bite.
“What are the four royal tribes of snakes? They are: the royal tribe of snakes called Virūpakkha, the royal tribe of snakes called Erāpatha, the royal tribe of snakes called Chabyāputta, and the royal tribe of snakes called Kaṇhā Gotamaka. Monks, that monk did not radiate thoughts of loving-kindness towards these four royal tribes of snakes. Monks, had he done so he would not have died of a snake bite. Monks, I advise you to radiate thoughts of loving-kindness towards these four royal tribes of snakes for your safety, for your protection, and as a protective blessing for you.”
Thus said the Blessed One. Having thus spoken, the Great Teacher, the Sublime One, further said:
May I have mettā towards Virūpakkhas, towards Erāpathas may I have mettā. May I have mettā towards Chabyāputtas, towards Kaṇhā Gotamakas also may I have mettā.
May I have mettā towards the footless. May I have mettā towards those with two feet. May I have mettā towards those with four. May I have mettā towards the many-footed.
Let not the footless do me harm; nor those that have two feet. Let not the four-footed do me harm; nor those endowed with many feet.
All beings, all living creatures, all beings who have come to birth may good fortune bless them all. May no harm come to them.
Immeasurable in virtue is the Buddha; immeasurable is the Dhamma; immeasurable is the Saṅgha. Measurable are creeping creatures, snakes, scorpions, centipedes, spiders, lizards and rats, due to their defilements. I have guarded myself. I have made my protection. Depart from me, all you beings. I worship the Blessed One, and the Seven Supreme Buddhas.
