Contemporaneity and Chronology of Mahavira and Buddha

Author(s): Nagrajmuni, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Book Agency

Page 70

Mahavira and Buddha
saying 'This, monks, is the first deed whose fruit comes with no delay accumulated by Devadatta since he, with his mind malignant, his mind on murder, drew the Truthfinder's blood."
50
"Now at that time there was a fierce elephant in Rājagṛha, a man-slayer, called Nālāgīri. Then Devadatta, having entered Rajagṛha, having gone to the elephant stable, spoke thus to the mahout: "We, my good fellows, are relations of the kings. We are competent to put in a high position one occupying a lowly position and to bring about an increases in food and wages. Well now, good fellows, when the recluse Gotama is coming along this carriage road, then, having let loose this elephant, Nālāgīri, bring him down this carriage road."
"Then the elephant Nälägīri, suffused by the Lord with loving-kindness of mind, having put down his trunk, approached the Lord; having approached, he stood in front of the Lord.
"Then the elephant Nālāgiri, having taken the dust of the Lord's feet with his trunk, having scattered it over his head, moved back bowing while he gazed upon the Lord.
"People looked down upon, critised, spread it about, saving: How evil is this Devadatta, how inauspicious, in that he tried to murder the recluse Gotama who is of such great psychic power, of such great might, and Devadatta's gains and honours declined; the Lord's gains and honours increased.
"Then Devadatta approached Kokālikā, Katamorakatissaka, the son of the lady Khanda, and Samuddadatta; having approached, he spoke thus to Kokālikā, Katamorakatissaka, the son of the lady Khanda, and Sammudda