經律異相 47.91

47.91

Formerly, there were deer numbering several hundreds in a herd. Pursuing sweet grass, they approached human settlements. The king of the country went out hunting, whereupon they scattered in all directions. There was a pregnant mother deer roaming alone; being pursued, hungry, and exhausted, she lost her herd. At that time, she gave birth to two fawns, left them, and went to seek food. Distressed, startled, and disoriented, she fell into a hunter's snare. Crying out in grief, she sought to get out but was unable to escape. Hearing the sound, the hunter went to look; seeing the deer, his heart rejoiced, and he stepped forward intending to kill her. The deer thereupon kowtowed and begged for mercy, explaining herself: 'I have just given birth to two fawns, who are still young and ignorant. Their vision is just beginning to clear, and they do not yet know east from west. I beg for a brief respite to temporarily return and see my fawns, to lead them and show them water and grass so that they can survive. I will immediately return to face death and will not break my sworn pledge.' The hunter was astonished and replied to the deer: 'All worldly people lack utmost sincerity; how much more so an animal—having escaped from death, how could there be any hope of your return?' The deer replied again: 'If you permit me, my fawns will live; if you detain me, my fawns will die.' And she spoke a verse: