經律異相 39.37

39.37

往昔雪山有一仙人。名跋伽婆。食果草根修習慈心。而不能除諸煩惱結。時住彼處有一雌虎。與共行欲遂便懷妊。日月滿足來仙人所產十二子。仙人憐愍即取洗浴而哺養之。虎母愛念隨時乳養。仙人各為立名。一名竭伽。二名跋婆伽。三名為虎。四名師子。五名擔重。六名婆羅墮闍。七名步行。八名婆羅奴。九名健食。十名惡性。十一名師子擔。十二名健行。年始七歲能食根華果。父母俱亡子心愁惱。仰天號哭無所歸依。樹神言。且莫號哭。汝等應當晝夜六時淨自洗浴向於虛空至心禮拜求哀梵天。梵天聞之。當至汝所壞汝癡暗。施汝慧明當供養汝。依教而行經十二歲。時梵天帝釋三十三天。與無數眷屬皆來供養。告童子曰。汝等何故十二年中精懃苦行。供養於我欲何所求。僉曰。唯願大士施我智慧。令我識知善惡等業苦受樂事（出大集經第二十四卷）。

In the past, in the Himālayas, there was a rishi named Bhārgava. He ate fruits, grasses, and roots, and cultivated a mind of loving-kindness, yet he could not eliminate the fetters of afflictions. At that time, a tigress dwelt in that place. He engaged in lust with her, and she subsequently became pregnant. When the months and days were fulfilled, she came to the rishi's dwelling and gave birth to twelve sons. The rishi took pity on them, immediately bathing and nurturing them. The mother tiger, loving and fond, suckled them at appropriate times. The rishi gave names to each of them: the first was called Khaḍga, the second Bhavaga, the third Vyāghra, the fourth Siṃha, the fifth Bhāradvāja, the sixth Bhāradvāja, the seventh Padaga, the eighth Bhāranu, the ninth Drallāhāra, the tenth Duḥśīla, the eleventh Siṃhabhāra, and the twelfth Sighraga. By the age of seven, they were able to eat roots, flowers, and fruits. Both their parents passed away, and the sons' minds were filled with sorrow and grief. Looking up to the heavens, they wailed and wept, having no one to rely upon. A tree deity said, 'Do not wail anymore. In the six periods of the day and night, you should wash and purify yourselves, face the open sky, and with sincere hearts pay homage and beg for mercy from Brahmā. When Brahmā hears this, he will come to your dwelling, destroy your darkness of ignorance, bestow upon you the light of wisdom, and provide for you.' Following the instruction, they practiced for twelve years. Then Brahmā, Śakra, and the gods of the Trāyastriṃśa heaven, along with countless retinues, all came to make offerings. Brahmā addressed the boys, saying, 'Why have you practiced vigorous austerities and made offerings to me for twelve years? What do you seek?' They all said, 'We only wish the Great Being to bestow wisdom upon us, so that we may know the actions of good and evil and the matters of experiencing suffering and joy.' (From the twenty-fourth fascicle of the Mahāsaṃnipāta Sūtra)