On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v1.c10.44

v1.c10.44

A note added to the Chinese text here tells us that Shih-p'i-ka, the correct form for the old Shih-p'i, means “giving”, but we are not bound to accept either the correction or the interpretation. The story of the Rajah of Śivi (or Raja Śivi) saving a pigeon chased by a hawk, and then cutting off portions of his own flesh to weigh against the pigeon, and finally putting his skeleton in the scales in order to have an equivalent in weight for the bird which still remained heavier, is told or referred to in many Buddhist books. It is found also in old Brahminical literature and Dasaratha is reminded by his queen how