Gautama said Do you give me, O king, of the celestials, this white elephant that is so young, for it is only ten years of age. I have raised it as a child of my own. Living in this forest, it has grown under my eye and has been to me a dear companion. Do you set free this my child that you have seized and wish to take away.
गौतम उवाच श्वेतं करेणुं मम पुत्रं हि नागं यं मेऽहार्षीर्दशवर्षाणि बालम्। स्तमेव मे देहि सुरेन्द्र नागम्॥