King Brahmadatta of Bārāṇasī once held a festival to which came the inhabitants of many worlds. A Nāga in the crowd, not noticing that the person beside him was a Garuḷa, laid a hand on his shoulder; discovering his mistake, he was frightened to death and ran away, pursued by the Garuḷa. The Nāga, coming to a river, where an ascetic, who was the Bodhisatta, was bathing, took refuge in the ascetic’s bark-garment. The Garuḷa, though able to see the Nāga, would not attack him out of respect for the ascetic. The latter took both of them to his hermitage and made them friendly towards each other by teaching the blessings of loving-kindness.

The story was related in reference to two soldiers who were in the habit of quarrelling whenever they met. Not even the king could reconcile them. The Buddha visited them at their homes and, having made them both Stream-winners, took them to see each other. Thenceforth they were great friends, and people marvelled at the Buddha’s power (J.ii.12-14). The Nakula Jātaka was also taught in this connection.