Cariyāpiṭaka 3

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The Conduct Leading to Buddhahood

The Chapter With Akitti

The Perfection of Giving (3rd)

Kururāja’s Conduct

1 “Then again when I reigned

in Indapatta, the capital city,

as the king named Dhanañjaya

I was blessed with the ten skillful deeds.

2 From the realm of Kaliṅga

brahmins came to me

requesting the royal elephant

that was lucky and deemed auspicious.

3 ‘Our nation is suffering from drought,

food is scarce and famine abounds,

please give the noble elephant

of midnight hue named Añjana.’

4 ‘When supplicants come to me

it is unbefitting to refuse.

Let not my vow be broken,

I shall give the mighty elephant.’

5 Taking the elephant by the trunk,

and a bejeweled ceremonial vessel,

I sprinkled water on the hand,

and gave the elephant to the brahmins.

6 When I had given the elephant,

my ministers said,

‘Why did you give the noble elephant

to the supplicants?

7 He was lucky and endowed with the auspicious,

supreme victor in battle.

Now you have given the elephant,

how shall you govern the realm?’

8 ‘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.’”