The Elephant that Foretold the Birth of the Budd
This short story revolves around a mythical elephant that possesses prophetic abilities and foresees the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha. The narrative explores the concept of fate and the interconnectedness of all living beings through the elephant's visions and actions.
By Jorge Luis Borges · First published 1942 · Genre: Mythology, Historical Fiction, Religious · 128 words
First lines
The Elephant That Foretold the birth of the Buddha
Five centuries before the Christian era, Queen Maya, in Nepal, had a dream that a white Elephant, which dwelled on the Golden Mountain, had entered her body. This visionary beast was furnished with six tusks. The King's soothsayers predicted that the Queen would bear a son who would become either ruler of the world or the saviour of mankind. As is common knowledge, the latter came true.
In India the Elephant is a domestic animal. White stands for humility and the number six is sacred, corresponding to the six dimensions of space: upward, downward, forward, back, left, and right.
What this Textopian page supports
The Elephant that Foretold the Birth of the Buddha is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, dated 1942 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Jorge Luis Borges
- Date: 1942 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mythology, Historical Fiction, Religious, Fantasy, Philosophical
- Length: 128 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Elephant that Foretold the Birth of the Buddha by Jorge Luis Borges
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Mythology — The narrative involves a prophetic dream and symbolic elements, typical of mythological storytelling.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a historical context, referencing Queen Maya and the birth of the Buddha.
- Religious — The text references religious figures and themes, such as the Buddha and prophetic visions.
- Fantasy — The inclusion of a visionary beast with six tusks and a prophetic dream introduces fantastical elements.
Tags
Fable · Philosophy · Buddhism · Mythology · Symbolism · Allegory · Short Story · Literary Fiction · Mystery · Paradox · Existentialism · Spirituality