THE BUDDHA SUBDUED THE CELESTIAL DRAGON, NANDOPANANDA , THROUGH HIS DISCIPLE MAHA MOGGALANA WHO ALSO TRANSFORMED HIMSELF INTO ANOTHER DRAGON.

Once the Buddha and His Disciple went to Lake Anotatta passing by the mansion of Nandopananda the dragon king who was enjoying himself with his retinue. Angry at the apparent trespassing, Nandopananda coiled itself seven times round Mount meru, coverd the summit with its hood and spewing hot poisonous smoke to prevent the Buddha and his disciples from reaching lake Anotatta. Thereupon Maha Moggalana, (the second Chief Disciple) at once transformed himself into a dragon and likewise coiled round the mountain, crushing Nandopananda. Watched by the Buddha and His disciples, Maha Moggalana too began spewing hot poisonous smoke which greatly distressed Nandopananda who soon lost the challenge and upon realisation of his folly, sought refuge in the Triple Gem of Buddhism.