A Raging Elephant

This is a fascinating commentary by JMP. The translation is very simple, as the elephant is saying, "Oh, there is a signboard that says Sri Lanka!" But let's break down the imagery, and context behind it.

A general, a crony, and a monk are all hanging on for dear life as a white elephant plummets downhill at a terrifying pace. The image beside the elephant, in addition to representing the momentum of the animal, may also speak to the downward spiral of Myanmar as a country and economy since the military seized power.

Now, let's unpack the religious and historical context. In past centuries of Bamar rule, be it royal, democratic, or dictatorial, leaders have sought certain auspicious signs that affirmed a kind of divine rule. Or more specifically, in Buddhist understanding, such a ruler might be known as a Dasavidha-rājadhamma. While this title refers to the actual ethical qualities that the leader displays in his rule, there has been a trend among Bamar rulers to instead seek out external symbols which, they would argue, may only be acquired if one has had the sufficient paramis or past karma... thereby indicating a divine right to rule. This may include relics from the Buddha or his disciples, or in the case of this cartoon, the very rare white elephant.

One example helps bring this to light. Historically, for many years the independent region of Arakan housed the sacred Maha Muni Buddha, which was coveted for centuries by Bamar kings. Despite successive military invasions, they couldn't manage to successfully claim it. Finally, it was taken by King Bodawpaya in the 17th century, along with many other artifacts and even slaves. (In this regard, those justifiably upset by Bamar items still resting in the British Museum in London from the colonial period might consider the possibility of returning Rakhine loot back to Arakan some day!)

But back to the cartoon. After the corrupt trio has managed, by hook or by crook, to bring the sacred white elephant into their possession, the terrified beast cannot run away fast enough from the devastation they have brought the Golden Land, and now runs at full speed to offer auspiciousness to a neighboring Buddhist country.