Once the king of Magadha, at constant war with the king of Anga, obtaining the help of the Nága-king who dwelt in the river Campá, defeated his rival. Thereafter he held an annual festival in honour of the Nága-king. The Bodhisatta, a very poor man, saw Campeyya's splendour on his way to the feast and longed for a like greatness. As a result, after death, he was born in the Nága world where he became king under the name of Campeyya. Realising what had happened, he felt disgust at his position as a Nága and made many attempts to observe religious vows, hoping, in this way, to gain release. But he was foiled in his efforts by his consort Sumaná. At last he came to the world of men, where he kept fast on certain days, lying on an ant-hill. There he was taken captive by a snake charmer who tortured him in various ways and took him about, exhibiting him for gain. By certain tokens of which Campeyya had earlier warned her, Sumaná knew that her husband had been taken captive and, after much searching, she discovered him just as the snake charmer was about to give a performance before Uggasena, king of Benares. The whole story was then revealed, and the snake charmer set Campeyya free. That Uggasena might be convinced of the truth of the story, he was invited to the Nága-world, where he and his retinue were lavishly entertained.
The story was related in connection with the observance of uposatha vows. Devadatta was the snake charmer and Sáriputta was Uggasena. Ráhulamátá was Sumaná (J.iv.454-68).
The Campeyya-cariyá is included in the Cariyápitaka (p.85f ) in order to illustrate sílapáramitá.
This Játaka is often referred to (E.g., J.i.45; MA.ii.617) as one of the births in which the Bodhisatta practised síla to perfection.