Mangala Hatthi: The Auspicious Elephant as Seen in Pali Literature

Abstract

These are the characteristics of Mangala hatthi- the auspicious elephant, which differentiate them from the ordinary elephants. Characteristics of Ordinary Elephants: Generally they are black in colour, well developed to do things as directed by the master- Hatwana. They do not possess the capacity to judge what is wrong and what is right. When they become wicked or wild, they even can kill their master or caretaker. They belong to the animal world or the Tiracchana world of Apayabhumi in the 31 planes of Existence. Characteristics of Auspicious Elephants: Mangala elephants are mostly white, possess admirable qualities as Boddhisatta along with physical marks as seen on the Cakkavatti king or Sammasambuddha. These bodily marks are due to the perfections being performed. The other characteristics of the Mangala Hatthi as seen from Pali literature can be described as follows:  Mangala Hatthi protects the kingdom/state in absence of the king and wins the war  His faith in Maha Bodhi Mandapa is astonishing and he always honour of Bodhitree  Possesses supernormal powers and helps men in danger even if it is an enemy  His tusks emits six coloured rays  He possesses the characteristics of Bodhisatta and completes his Pakata Parmi in presence of any past Buddha This paper is an attempt to study the Mangala hatthi as seen in the Pali literature and find out why they are Mangala Hatthi. What are the characteristics which makes them different from the ordinary elephants? How do they attain these characteristics? What is the role of Mangala hatthi in jataka or previous lives of the Buddha? All such and many more questions are addressed with the help of Pali literature to know more about the Mangala Hatthi.