On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c20.2

v2.c20.2

CHUAN IX of our Records begins by telling us that in a wood, to the east of the Bodhi Tree and on the other side of the Nairanjana river, was a tope, and to the north of this a tank which was the place where the "scent-elephant" served his mother. Formerly, the pilgrim continues, Ju-lai in his career as a P'usa was a young "scent-elephant"; his home was in the North Mountains and he wandered to the banks of this tank; his mother was blind, and he gathering lotus-roots and drawing pure water, waited on her with filial piety, going about as the seasons changed. Once a man lost his way in this wood and cried out in helpless distress; the young elephant thereupon kindly led him out of the wood, and shewed him the way home. When the man returned to his native place he told the king about the "scent-elephant", and then went as guide with the force which the king sent to capture the animal. At the instant this man pointed out the elephant his arms fell down as if lopped off. The king had the elephant brought to his stables and tied up there, but the creature would not take any food. In reply to the king's question he said he could not enjoy any food knowing that his blind mother was starving; thereupon the king moved by the filial display of the elephant set him free.