法句譬喻經 38.p6

38.p6

In days of old, when Buddha was residing at the Jetavana Vihāra, near Śrāvastī, preaching his law for the good of Devas and men, at this time there was in a country some way to the south a very large elephant of a threefold colour, white, blue, and black, which the King very much desired to capture and to tame, so as to make it one of his fighting elephants. Accordingly having despatched his chief hunter for the purpose, he waited in expectation of his command being obeyed. Now there was at this time in the mountains a certain divine elephant, his body white as snow, his tail red as vermilion, and his tusks yellow as gold. Having seen this creature, the hunter returned to the King, and asked him whether the elephant he had been sent to capture was of this kind. The King immediately ordered the beast to be taken and brought to him. On this the hunter, with thirty men, went in pursuit of him. Having come to the spot, and surrounded the place, the elephant, knowing their purpose, allowed the men to approach him, and then, filled with fury, he rushed at them and trampled the nearest to death, and put the others to flight. Now at this time in the side of the mountain there was a young and lusty hermit, who had long practised his religious austerities without arriving at any degree of fixedness. Seeing from a distance the sad case of these hunters, and pitying their condition, relying on his strength, he hurried to the spot, hoping to save them. Meantime Buddha, seeing the danger of this Bhikshu, and fearing lest the divine elephant should kill him, quickly transported himself to the place, and standing beside the elephant, caused the glory of his person to exhibit itself. The elephant, seeing the brilliancy of the body of Buddha, appeased his rage, and gave up the pursuit of the men. The Bhikshu also seeing the wonderful light that shone forth, bowed down at Buddha's feet, who forthwith repeated these verses:—