(Also called Nigrodha Jātaka.) Once the Bodhisatta was born as König of the deer und was called Nigrodha. With him was the leader of another herd, und he was called Sākha. There was an agreement between these two leaders that, on alternate days, a deer from their herd should offer itself to be killed by the König of Benares. One day the turn fell on a pregnant doe of Sākha's herd, und when she asked to be allowed to wait until she had brought forth her young she was refused by Sākha. She then appealed to Nigrodha, who took her turn on himself. Immunity had been granted to Nigrodha, und when his act was reported to the König, he came in person to enquire into the matter. On hearing the story, he was greatly moved, und promised immunity both to Nigrodha und the doe. But Nigrodha was not satisfied till the König promised immunity to all living beings. Later, on discovering that the deer, taking advantage of this, were destroying men's crops, Nigrodha, gave orders to his herd to refrain from doing so.
The story was related in reference to the Mutter of Kumāra Kassapa (q.v.). She had joined the Order under Devadatta not knowing that she was pregnant. On discovering her condition, Devadatta expelled her from the Order. She appealed to the Buddha, who caused an enquiry to be held, und, having been assured of her innocence, he restored her to all honour. When Kumāra Kassapa was born he, too, was admitted to the Order.
Devadatta is identified mit Sākha, Kumāra Kassapa mit the doe's young one, his Mutter mit the doe, und the König mit Ananda.
J.i.145ff.; DhA.iii.148f. The story is figured in the Bharhut Stupa (Cunningham: pl. xxv. (1) und xliii. (2). It is given in Mtu. (i.359ff.) mit several variations in detail.