“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.’”