Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t6: Mrigdava
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t6
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Mrigdava
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In Buddhist texts, Sarnath, one of the four most significant spots of Buddhist pilgrimage, is referred alternatively as Mrigdava/ Mrigdaya, or by its full name Rishipattan Mrigdava in Sanskrit and Isipatan Migdaya in Pali. Mrigdava literally means deer forest while Migdaya indicates place offered to a deer as their share of "inheritance". Rishipatan/ Isipatan refers to a place where bodies of sages fell.
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The historical origin of these names is not known. Avadana and Jatak stories, however, tell about legends associated with these names. In Mahavastu Avadana as well as in Nigrodhmigjataka, there is a story about the king of Kashi, Brahmadutt, who, frequently indiscriminately hunted deer in the nearby forest. Many a time, injured by his arrows, the deer used to run away deep in the forest where they either died due to their wounds or became easy prey of other animals or birds. Distressed by such wanton destruction of their herd, the deer-leader met the king and offered to send him one deer daily to stop the indiscriminate hunting. The king accepted the proposal. One day, it was the turn of a doe to go to the king. She was pregnant so she appealed to the leader that she be exempted until the delivery of a fawn. Pitying her condition and finding no one else offering to go, he himself went to the king to maintain his promise. Surprised, the king asked him the reason for offering himself. When he heard the full story, he felt that that if an animal could be so upright and compassionate then there was no
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*Dhamekh Stupa, Saranath*
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reason for him to be so selfish and cruel. He must follow his dharma. He then immediately issued a royal order granting full protection to deer there. The forest area became known as the protected place offered to deer as their share of "royal inheritance" ie, Mrigdaya or Mrigdava. This story is also referred in Xuanzang's travelogue.
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The full name of this place was Rishipatan [Isipatan] Mrigdaya/ Mrigdava [Migdaya]. Mahavastu Avadan mentions that it was so called because remains of the bodies of hundreds of Pratyeka-Buddha (sages) fell here. These Buddhas, who lived here, were advised by the gods to vacate this place for the arrival of Gautam Buddha. They, therefore, attained nirvana and went to heaven. They burnt their bodies while going up and its remains fell here. The place was then called Rishipattan. These two names based on two different stories when joined together became Rispattan Mrigdava (present-day Sarnath).
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Following the above names for Sarnath in Buddhist texts the Chinese translation refer to it as Luye [鹿野] = Deer Forest; Xianren luye yuan [仙人鹿野苑] = "Deer Forest" Garden for Sages Luye yuan zhong xianren zhuchu [鹿野苑中仙人住處] = Abode of Sages in the "Deer Forest" Garden; Xianmian chu [仙面處] = Place Where Sages Are Seen Shi lu lin xianren duochu [施鹿林仙人墮處] = Place for Sages in the Bestowed Deer Forest; Xianren duochu luye yuan [仙人墮處鹿野苑] = Sages' Abode in "Deer Forest" Garden; Xianren duochu shi lulin [仙人墮處施鹿林] = Sages Abode in Bestowed "Deer Forest" etc.
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(*Kamal Sheel*)
Linked texts (1)
- Mahāvastu — Sanskrit