The Perfection of Giving (3rd)

“Then again when I reigned

in Indapatta, the capital city,

as the king named Dhanañjaya

I was blessed with the ten skillful deeds.

From the realm of Kaliṅga

brahmins came to me

requesting the royal elephant

that was lucky and deemed auspicious.

‘Our nation is suffering from drought,

food is scarce and famine abounds,

please give the noble elephant

of midnight hue named Añjana.’

‘When supplicants come to me

it is unbefitting to refuse.

Let not my vow be broken,

I shall give the mighty elephant.’

Taking the elephant by the trunk,

and a bejeweled ceremonial vessel,

I sprinkled water on the hand,

and gave the elephant to the brahmins.

When I had given the elephant,

my ministers said,

‘Why did you give the noble elephant

to the supplicants?

He was lucky and endowed with the auspicious,

supreme victor in battle.

Now you have given the elephant,

how shall you govern the realm?’

‘I would give the entire realm

and my physical body as well.

Omniscience is precious to me,

which is why I gave away the elephant.’”