大唐西域記 9.3

9.3

摩伽陀國下

To the east of the Bodhi tree, crossing the Nairanjana (Ni-len-shan-na) river, in the middle of a wood, is a stupa. To the north of this is a pool. This is the spot where a perfume elephant (Gandhahasti) waited on his mother. Formerly when Tathagata was practising discipline as a Bodhisattva, he was born as the offspring of a perfume-elephant, and lived in the mountains of the north. Wandering forth, he came to the border of this pool. His mother being blind, he gathered for her the sweet lotus roots, and drew pure water for her use, and cherished her with devotion and filial care. At this time there was a man who had changed his home, who wandered here and there in the wood without knowing his way, and in his distress raised piteous cries. The elephant-cub heard him and pitied him; leading him on, he showed him his way to the road. The man having got back, forthwith went to the king and said, "I know of a wood in which a perfume-elephant lives and roams. It is a very valuable animal. You had better go and take it."