[99] Then, while the Blessed One was in solitude, gone into seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind: "Formerly I dwelt hemmed in — by bhikkhus, bhikkhunīs, laymen (upāsakā), laywomen (upāsikā), kings, chief ministers of kings, sectarians (titthiyā), and disciples of sectarians; hemmed in, I dwelt in suffering (dukkha), not at ease. Now I dwell not hemmed in by bhikkhus, bhikkhunīs, laymen, laywomen, kings, chief ministers of kings, sectarians, and disciples of sectarians; not hemmed in, I dwell in happiness, at ease."
And in that bull elephant (hatthināga) this reflection arose in his mind: "Formerly I dwelt hemmed in by bull elephants, cow elephants, young elephants, and elephant calves; I ate grasses whose tips were already cropped, and they ate the branches I broke down, one after another; I drank turbid water, and when I came up from my plunge, cow elephants went along rubbing against my body. Hemmed in, I dwelt in suffering, not at ease. Now I dwell not hemmed in by bull elephants, cow elephants, young elephants, and elephant calves; I eat grasses whose tips are uncropped, and they do not eat the branches I break down; I drink water that is not turbid, and when I come up from my plunge, cow elephants do not go along rubbing against my body. Not hemmed in, I dwell in happiness, at ease."
Then the Blessed One, having understood his own seclusion (paviveka), and having known with his own mind the reflection in the mind of that bull elephant, on that occasion uttered this inspired utterance (udāna):
"This mind of the nāga — the elephant
with tusks like chariot-poles —
accords with the Nāga's, mind (citta) with mind:
in that each delights alone in the forest."
The fifth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.