Story Summary
Discover the moving Jataka tale of The Six-Tusked Elephant, where the Bodhisattva shows ultimate compassion and forgiveness against a queen's vengeful plot.
In a past life, the Bodhisattva was born as Chaddanta, a majestic white elephant with six tusks, living in a golden cave near a lotus-filled lake. He lived harmoniously with his two wives, Mahasubhadda and Cullasubhadda. One day, while shaking a flowering tree, the blossoms fell upon Mahasubhadda, while dry leaves and red ants fell upon Cullasubhadda. Perceiving this as a slight, Cullasubhadda harbored a deep grudge. She eventually died and was reborn as the Queen of Varanasi. Driven by her past resentment, she feigned a terminal illness, claiming only the tusks of the six-tusked elephant could cure her. She hired a hunter named Sonuttara to kill Chaddanta. The hunter located the elephant and shot him with a poisoned arrow from a hidden pit. Despite his agony, Chaddanta realized the hunter was acting on the Queen’s orders. Instead of retaliating, the Bodhisattva felt only compassion. He helped the trembling hunter saw off his six tusks, even as the pain was excruciating. Chaddanta then succumbed to his wounds, having fulfilled the Queen's request through ultimate sacrifice. When the Queen saw the glowing tusks, she was struck with overwhelming remorse for her petty vengeance and died of a broken heart.
The Moral
True greatness lies in the ability to forgive even those who seek to harm us, as hatred is only conquered by love and sacrifice.
“Hatred is not overcome by hatred; by love alone is hatred conquered.”
Fun Fact
This story is one of the most popular subjects in ancient Buddhist art and can be found vividly depicted in the 2nd-century BCE carvings at the Sanchi Stupa and the Ajanta Caves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Six-Tusked Elephant?
The story teaches the power of forgiveness and the danger of holding onto grudges. It shows that the Bodhisattva chooses compassion over retaliation, even at the cost of his own life.
Who was the elephant in this Jataka tale?
The six-tusked elephant, named Chaddanta, was a past incarnation of the Buddha (the Bodhisattva). He represented the perfection of patience and self-sacrifice.
Why did the Queen want the elephant's tusks?
In her previous life as Chaddanta's wife, she felt slighted and jealous. She was reborn as a Queen and used her position to seek revenge for a perceived insult from her past life.
How did the elephant respond to the hunter?
Rather than killing the hunter who shot him, Chaddanta helped the man remove his tusks. He realized the hunter was just a tool of the Queen's karma and felt pity for him.
What happened to the Queen at the end of the story?
When the Queen was presented with the tusks, she realized the magnitude of her cruelty and the purity of the elephant's heart. She died of grief and remorse shortly after.
What does the six-tusked elephant symbolize in Buddhism?
The six tusks are often interpreted as representing the Six Perfections (Paramitas): generosity, morality, patience, energy, meditation, and wisdom.