1At Sāvatthī. "Bhikkhus, there are these four modes of generation of nāgas. [n.284] The four modes of generation (yoni) are intended to comprise all sentient beings; see MN I 73,3–15. According to Spk, the Buddha spoke this sutta in order to rescue these bhikkhus from the nāga modes of generation (nāgayonīhi uddharaṇatthaṁ; or Se: ukkaṇṭhanatthaṁ, to make them fed up with the nāga modes of generation). What four? Nāgas born from eggs, nāgas born from the womb, nāgas born from moisture, nāgas of spontaneous birth. These are the four modes of generation of nāgas."

1Sāvatthinidānaṁ. "Catasso imā, bhikkhave, nāgayoniyo. Katamā catasso? Aṇḍajā nāgā, jalābujā nāgā, saṁsedajā nāgā, opapātikā nāgā – imā kho, bhikkhave, catasso nāgayoniyo"ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.