The other day, I came across the Muccalinda Sutta (translations: Ṭhānissaro / Anandajoti / Ireland), and I was wondering how the community would interpret it, particularly the events leading up to the closing verse.
While the Buddha was in deep meditation, a strong out-of-season storm comes. Muccalinda, the naga king, appears and protects him. When the storm finally subsides, the naga king assumes the appearance of a young man. He pays homage to the Buddha, who replies with the following realization:
Blissful is solitude
for one who’s content,
....who has heard the Dhamma,
....who sees.
Blissful is non-affliction
with regard for the world,
....restraint for living beings.
Blissful is dispassion
with regard for the world,
....the overcoming of sensuality.
But the subduing of the conceit “I am”
....That is truly
....the ultimate bliss.