龟兹菱格故事汇第25期

克孜尔第38窟 鹿王舍身救兔

局部 爬在鹿王身上摆渡的小兔

鹿王舍身救兔

过去，有一片大森林。由于久旱不雨，气候炎热，突然引起了森林大火。刹那间，森林中的所有飞禽走兽，四处惊飞逃窜。但因前方有一条湍急的大河，后面有熊熊烈火，不少禽兽都被淹死、烧死在水火之中。

这时，鹿王心想：“在此危难关头，我必须应尽全力拯救众生。”于是，它毅然跳入水中，奋力搭救落水的动物。虽然磨破了皮肤、跌伤了身躯，但鹿王却丝毫也不懈怠。

当时，有一只小兔，因奔跑过急，不慎折断了腿，一跛一拐，不能前行。鹿王见此惨状，强忍着疲劳，让小兔爬在自己的身上，终于把小兔救了出来。由于鹿王疲劳过度，终于被大水淹没了。

诸天神被鹿王的高尚行为深深打动，他们为鹿王建造了高塔，将它的遗骨埋在塔中，以表对鹿王的崇敬和怀念。

选自《大唐西域记》卷六

Mrigala Gives His Life to Save a Rabbit

Once upon a time there was a big forest. A forest fire suddenly broke out due to hot weather and a long drought. All the birds and beasts were seen fleeing the forest in a furry of panic. However, a torrential river was blocking their path. Caught between the water and the raging fire many animals either drowned or burnt to death.

At that moment Mrigala thought to himself, “This is it; I must do whatever I can to save my people.” Thus he leaped into the water and went all out to save the animals in distress. Skin scratched, body bruised, Mrigala did not stop even for a second.

Right at the moment a rabbit broke his leg from running too fast. He tried to limp, but the road would not rise to meet him. Seeing the poor little guy struggle, Mrigala offered him a ride on his back, despite the fact that he was exhausted. The rabbit was saved. The overwhelmed Mrigala, however, was devoured by the flood.

The devas were so touched by the noble act of Mrigala that they built him a stupa and buried his remains there. Such was the heavenly tribute in memory of Mrigala.

Excerpt from the Great Tang Records on the Western Regions

克孜尔第114窟 鹿王舍身救兔

克孜尔第114窟 鹿王舍身救兔

局部 跳入水中的鹿王

克孜尔第38窟 鹿王舍身救兔

克孜尔第38窟 鹿王舍身救兔

局部 爬在鹿王身上摆渡的小兔

资料提供：新疆龟兹研究院