Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t6.5

v1.c7.s2.t6.5

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).