A she elephant’s story

"Looks like the king does not want me anymore," thought the she elephant Bhadravatika.

She was dismayed by the neglectful attitude on the part of the king Udena, who loved her so much in the days gone by. Bhadravatika roamed in various places looking for food.

She was ageing.

People were saddened by her appearance. She was kind to other elephants as well as other animals. Gradually as she was walking slowly towards the jungle, she saw to her surprise, the Buddha pacing from the other direction with a retinue of monks. Bhadravatika knew she was lucky.

"Is not it that Bhadravatika, the royal elephant?"

The Buddha reflected and asked his monks to stop and see what she is doing.

Bhadravatika knelt down before the Buddha. She was lifting her trunk, as if to say that she salutes the Buddha and the monks. The Buddha looked at her ageing eyes.

The eyes were welling with tears. The Buddha sensed she had something to say. He read the creature's mind:

"The king does not care for me anymore. Nobody wants me now. I am left alone to die."

"I know what you need," the Buddha said, and invited her to follow him. Bhadravatika was pacing slowly behind the Buddha and the retinue of monks. The Buddha was an advisor to King Udena. Upon reaching the royal gates, the Buddha and the retinue were allowed to go beyond. The Buddha informed the keeper to let the elephant in too. The king wanted to know why the Buddha visited him untimely. Venerating the Buddha, the king requested him to have alms at the palace.

"We may willingly accept your offer. But we are here over a different matter," the king said.

The king ordered the royal courtiers to arrange the alms hall, and sat in a comfortable position to listen to the Buddha. He was eagerly waiting for the Buddha and the retinue to be done and reveal the matter.

"Do you have any problems these days?" The Buddha inquired.

"No, Great Sir."

"Do you see that she elephant over there?"

"Yes, Great Sir."

"Is that the royal elephant who serves you?"

"She used to serve me in the past."

"Was it a splendid service?"

"Yes."

"Is she abandoned now?"

The king was silent.

"Looks like you have abandoned her and let her live a strenuous life," the Buddha resumed.

The king could not respond. He was listening to the Buddha.

"Go take a closer look at her."

King Udena walked towards the elephant, and looked at her face. The king seemed to understand what the Buddha said.

"She needs your service now," the Buddha said.

"She is quite old now, and she cannot do any hard work," said the king.

"That exactly is the issue. But in the past she used to do a lot for you. You practically depended on her. Now the time has come when she needs to depend on you. Do not you see that she is hungry?"

"Yes Great Sir,"

"Do not you think she needs better care?"

"Yes Great Sir."

"Do not you think that she wants maternal care above other things?"

"Yes Great Sir."

That became the subject the Buddha discussed with the king. The king's heart melted. He perceived the need to take care of the she elephant Bhadravatika, who served him in the past. The king ordered a special unit of courtiers to look after her.

Since then Bhadravatika enjoyed her time of retirement in a better state of health. She lived for a few more years in the special stable built for her. Children in the village were allowed to visit her with all sorts of plants, fruits and any other rituals. The children were fond of Bhadravatika and they went into the forest with her fearlessly.