sn.4.2 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

The King Elephant

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Uruvela on the bank of the river Nerañjara at the foot of the Goatherd’s Banyan Tree just after he had become fully enlightened. Now on that occasion the Blessed One was sitting out in the open air in the thick darkness of the night while it was drizzling.

Then Mara the Evil One, wishing to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in the Blessed One, manifested himself in the form of a giant king elephant and approached the Blessed One. His head was like a huge block of steatite; his tusks were like pure silver; his trunk was like a huge plough pole.

Then the Blessed One, having understood, “This is Mara the Evil One,” addressed him in verse:

“You’ve wandered through the long course
Creating beautiful and hideous shapes.
Enough, Evil One, with that trick of yours:
You’re defeated, End-maker!”

Then Mara the Evil One, realizing, “The Blessed One knows me, the Fortunate One knows me,” sad and disappointed, disappeared right there.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

In the Form of an Elephant King

So I have heard.
At one time, when he was first awakened, the Buddha was staying near Uruvelā at the root of the goatherd’s banyan tree on the bank of the Nerañjarā River.
Now at that time the Buddha was meditating in the open during the dark of night, while a gentle rain drizzled down.
Then Māra the Wicked, wanting to make the Buddha feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, manifested in the form of a huge elephant king and approached him.
Its head was like a huge block of soapstone.

Its tusks were like pure silver.

Its trunk was like a long plough pole.

Then the Buddha, knowing that this was Māra the Wicked, addressed him in verse:
“Transmigrating for such a long time,
you’ve made forms beautiful and ugly.
Enough of this, Wicked One!
You’re beaten, terminator!”
Then Māra the Wicked, thinking, “The Buddha knows me! The Holy One knows me!” miserable and sad, vanished right there.