[39] At the Nerañjarā, the Blessed One said to Uruvelakassapa the jaṭila (matted-hair ascetic):
"If it is not troublesome to you, Kassapa, we would dwell this one night in the fire chamber (agyāgāra)."
"It is not troublesome to me, great ascetic; but desiring your comfort I would restrain you: there is a fierce nāga king here, possessed of psychic power (iddhi), a venomous serpent of terrible poison. Let him not harm you."
"Perhaps he will not harm me. Come now, Kassapa, allow me the fire chamber."
Knowing that it had been granted, fearless, he entered, having gone beyond fear.
Seeing the seer entered, the serpent-nāga, displeased, sent forth smoke.
Glad in mind, undisturbed, the human nāga too sent forth smoke there.
Unable to bear the affront, the serpent-nāga blazed up like fire.
Skilled in the fire element (tejodhātu), the human nāga too blazed up there.
As the two became ablaze together, the jaṭilas gazed upon the fire chamber, and they said: "Handsome indeed, sirs, is the great ascetic — he is being harmed by the nāga!"
Then, with the passing of the night, the serpent-nāga's flames were no more; but the many-colored flames of the one possessed of psychic power remained.
Blue, then crimson, madder-red, yellow, and crystal-colored — flames of many colors were upon the body of Aṅgīrasa.
Having placed the serpent-nāga in his bowl, he showed him to the brahmin: "Here, Kassapa, is your nāga; his fire has been mastered by fire."
Then Uruvelakassapa the jaṭila, greatly pleased with this marvel of psychic power (iddhipāṭihāriya) of the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One: "Stay right here, great ascetic; I shall provide you with regular meals."
The First Marvel
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.