Buddha taming the mad elephant (Nalagri) Railing medallion from stupa at Amarvati, Andhra Pradesh, late 2nd century C.E., Government Museum, Madras.

Buddha represented in human form- sign of Kushan Influence seeping southward into the peninsular of India

Devadatta, Buddha’s jealous cousin and rival, tried various schemes to get rid of the Buddha.  The most famous was when he sent the elephand Nalagiri, trained for warfare, to kill the Buddha.  Excited to a blind rage, the elephant charged towards the Buddha in the streets of Rajagriha.  Panic ensued, but the Buddha remained unperturbed.  When Nalagiri came quite near, Buddha’s spiritual power soon brought him to his senses, inducing him to lower his body and place his head on the ground like a mountain the side of which has been shattered by a thunderbolt.  Then with his beautiful hand, soft as a lotus, Buddha stroked the elephant’s head as the moon touches a cloud with its rays.

(Source: hevajra)