一切經音義 49.54

49.54

Owl (鵂鶹子: xu + qiu fan; the second is li + zhou fan. Lexicons say: "鵂鶹 is the scops owl." The Guangya says: "鵂鶹 is the horned owl." In the regions east of the mountains it is called xunhou; in the Guanzhong region it is called xunhu; it is also called strange bird. It hides by day and moves by night, and its cry is regarded as an omen. In Sanskrit it is called Ulūka. Ulūka was a treatise master who founded the Vaiśeṣika system and expounded the doctrine of the six categories. This sage constantly dwelt in the mountains during the daytime, and came out of the mountains at night to knock on doors and beg for food. If he obtained food, he ate; if not, he went without. Because he traveled at night, he was called 'Owl'. Moreover, this bird often dwells in mountain caves, and this sage did likewise; hence he was named after it).