Dhammapada Chapter 23: The Elephant

The Elephant chapter takes its name from the animal the Buddha most often chose for himself: the great, patient beast that endures. Its opening verse is a vow: as a war elephant endures the arrow shot from the bow, so shall I endure abuse — for many in this world are without virtue (23.1). Endurance is then crowned the highest tameness: they parade the tamed elephant, the king mounts the tamed horse, but best among humans is the self-tamed one who endures insult (23.2–23.3); no mount can carry you to the untrodden country — only the well-tamed self goes there (23.4).

The chapter tells of Dhanapala, the captive elephant who refuses food, remembering his forest (23.5) — an image of the mind's longing for its true home — and of restraining one's own formerly wandering mind as a keeper restrains a rutting elephant (23.7), lifting oneself from difficulty as an elephant lifts itself from mud (23.8). On companionship it is decisive both ways: with a wise, upright companion, walk together joyfully; finding none, walk alone like the elephant in the Matanga forest — better solitude than fellowship with fools (23.9–23.11). It closes counting the blisses: friends in need, contentment, merit at life's end, and the abandoning of all suffering (23.12); mother-care, father-care, virtue till old age, faith, and wisdom (23.13–23.14).