Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t6.2

v1.c7.s2.t6.2

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