The Buddha's jealous cousin Devadatta sets loose the drunken elephant, Nalagiri, to trample the Buddha. In one account of the story, when Nalagiri charged at the Buddha, the Buddha created an image of two lions and a sea of fire in front of the elephant to frighten it into staying still.

In the seventh enquiry, called Nāḷāgiri, we hear about how the elephant Dhanapālaka was sent in order to kill the Buddha.

Sep 14, 2024 · An elephant of the royal stalls at Rajagaha. Devadatta, after several vain attempts to kill the Buddha, obtained Ajatasattus consent to use Nalagiri as a means of encompassing the Buddhas death. The elephant, he said, knows nothing of the Buddhas virtues and will have no hesitation in destroying him.

Sep 28, 2019 · This page describes “buddha’s subjugation of the elephant nalagiri (or dhanapala)” as written by Nagarjuna in his Maha-prajnaparamita-sastra (lit. “the treatise on the great virtue of wisdom”) in the 2nd century.

Mar 24, 2025 · Thus Nalagiri was let loose. The ferocious and dangerous looking intoxicated elephant when walked on the streets the people fled at his sight. Yet, the Buddha kept on walking in his usual dignity and composure, though, Ananda tried to prevent and protect him.

Feb 13, 2021 · There was, at one time, a savage elephant named Nalagiri in the town of Rajagaha, an elephant known to have killed men. One morning, the Blessed One (this is how Buddha is addressed in the ancient texts) went out into the street in Rajagaha to request alms.

Jan 8, 2012 · Nalagiri was the name of the royal tusker belonging to King Suppabuddha. This king was the father of Devadatta. Devadattha, who was jealous of the Buddha, plotted to kill Him while He was in Rajgir.....

In the seventh enquiry, (called) Nāḷāgiri, (we hear about how) the elephant Dhanapālaka was sent in order to kill (the Buddha). he said: “Where is this shaveling going?” āhatacitto khilajāto taṁ hatthinā āsādesi. being angry and stubborn he assaulted him with his elephant. pacchimattabhāve Buddho jāto.

The big piece of rock rolled down by Devadatta hurt the big toe of the Buddha just a little, and when the Nalagiri elephant rushed at the Buddha, it was made docile by the Buddha. Thus Devadatta failed to kill the Buddha, and he tried another tactic.

Jan 31, 2025 · Nalagiri, in Buddhism, represents the fierce elephant unleashed by Devadatta to attack the Buddha in Rajagriha, symbolizing the challenges and adversities faced by the Buddha during his mission.