The elephant naLagiri/nalagiri

[Georg von Simson]

>Can an Indologist please explain me the connection between
>'reed' and 'elephant'?; (also, possibly NaLa in Mahabharata
>and 'reed')?
>
>Thanks,
>N. Ganesan
>
What comes to my mind is a connection by contrast only, cf. UdAnavarga (ed.
Bernhard) 4.37:
   dhunidhvaM mRtyunaH sainyaM naDAgAram iva kuJjaraH
"Crush the army of Death like an elephant (crushes) a house made of reed."

As for Nala and reed: reed may have a sexual connotation (like daNDa).

Regards

G.v.Simson