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So he was born as a wild elephant, yet had the knowledge
of past life. He was adorning the Vayu linga with utmost devotion by removing
the gems offered by the serpent first deeming them rubbish and unworthy to be
near the Lord and pouring water from its trunk over the linga and placing
lotuses before it. It did it regularly, and only after this ritual, it was
drinking or eating. The on-lookers were struck with wonder at its peity, but to
the serpent it was an obnoxious act, since its offer of diamonds was thrust
aside every day by the elephant. The elephant too was irritated to find stones
before the Lord everyday. They decided to see unseen the intruder for
punishment. Accordingly, the serpent hid behind the Linga and saw the elephant
as usual throwing off with its foot the diamonds first and pouring water over
the linga followed by placing lotuses. In emerged all on a sudden and went
straight into the trunk of the elephant and started giving trouble. Poor
elephant struggled hard to get rid of it. Unable to withstand the pain, it
dashed against- a boulder and died with its last thought on the Sivalinga.
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