Paṇḍara

Overview

Paṇḍara is the nāga king in Jātaka 518. He visits the apparent ascetic Karambiya, who also receives a garuḍa king. Paṇḍara explains that nāgas swallow large stones to become too heavy for attacking birds to lift by the head. The concealed weakness is lifting the tail instead, which turns the serpent downwards and makes the stones fall out.

Karambiya passes the secret to the garuḍa, and Paṇḍara is seized. Their ensuing conversation leads to his release and a pledge of friendship. When the bird later tests him, Paṇḍara assumes an enormous serpent body, swallows stones and sand, and shelters his tail beneath his hood. He remains prepared to bite despite their agreement. The episode ties unusual bodily tactics to the problem of trusting a former enemy.

Origins & earliest records

South Asian Buddhist Jātaka narrative tradition

Records & interpretation

Directly read historical English primary-text translation, located by tale number and printed pages.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   The Jātaka, Volume V

   H. T. Francis (historical English translator); E. B. Cowell (general editor)

   Jātaka 518, pp. 43–48; publication date of hosted volume not independently checked. Prose narrative and verse are presented together in the translated collection.

Family & connections

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Primary records and illustrations

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Historical primary-text translationThe Jātaka, Volume V — Jātaka 518, pp. 43–48Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.