The Charge of Nalagiri!

Nalagiri the elephant tore through the streets of Rajagaha in a bloody rampage.

He had lagged behind, so they poked him hard. Then, when he went forward, he drunkenly went too far. They called for him to stop, but he was heedless. The great elephant’s restraint and control slipped, and even the smallest misstep of such a powerful giant was terrifying. The massive beast lurched into the crowded street. The frightened people shouted and screamed; Nalagiri deafened them with his trumpet. Trying to force him back, they shoved and punched. He knocked them over and flung them aside with his trunk. From their stilt houses and rooftops, the angry people threw whatever they could down at him, as he trampled and crushed those below. The vengeful people stabbed at him with spears and pikes; Nalagiri gored and charged at everything that moved.

The city was in chaos, and the elephant’s rage seemed endless. Then a clear and gentle voice rose above the violence. It spoke to the people as much as to Nalagiri:

“O Elephant! Don’t strike a Great One (enlightened/elephant).
O Elephant! Such suffering to strike a Great One.
O Elephant! For one who kills a Great One—
there will be no good place beyond this.”

The people stopped throwing things and held their breath as a brave ascetic stepped out into the street, drawing the attention of the enraged elephant. Nalagiri turned and charged!

Closing in with all his might and fury, his instincts suddenly became confused. From this man he sensed no anger or fear like the others—only a sincere love. This ascetic’s heart held only compassion for him, only concern for his missteps—to crush this man would be like crushing one of his own!

The townspeople gasped, for it was only at the last instant that Nalagiri ground to a stop, lowered his trunk, and stood before the ascetic. Serenely, the Buddha reached out his right hand and stroked Nalagiri’s forehead:

“Don’t be indulgent, don’t be heedless.
The heedless are never going to a good place.
You must act in such a way
that you’ll go to a good place.”

Nalagiri gathered dust at the Buddha’s feet and scattered it overhead with his trunk. Then, slowly, he backed away while looking at the Buddha in reverence.

Now calmed, Nalagiri quietly returned to his stall in the elephant stables.

(Kd 17)

https://suttacentral.net/pli-tv-kd17

Metta to all the angry beings who often misstep! 🐘 May you find peace in your practice!