Ja 15 The Story about the Deer named Kharādiyā
(Kharādiyajātaka)
In the present a monk proves to be unteachable and is brought to the Buddha who explains that he was like this in a previous life. He then tells how the monk was once his nephew, a deer who could not be taught even after seven successive days, and so fell to a hunter. The Bodhisatta then speaks this verse to his sister Kharādiyā (full story).
1. Aṭṭhakkhuraṁ Kharādiye, migaṁ vaṅkātivaṅkinaṁ,
Sattahi kālātikkantaṁ na naṁ ovaditussahe ti.
The deer has eight hoofs, Kharādiyā, and very crooked antlers, I will not endeavour to advise him for more than seven times.
In this connection, eight hoofs, because there are two hoofs on each individual foot, there are eight hoofs. i.e. four split hoofs.
Kharādiyā, he calls her by name. i.e. this is a vocative.
Deer is a comprehensive word. Elsewhere it can indicate animals in general, but here it means many different types of deer, as we are talking about eight-hooved animals.
Very crooked antlers means crooked at the root, and very crooked at the tips, these are very crooked antlers, such horns as he has are very crooked antlers, that is very crooked antlers.
For more than seven times means by advising with advice for more than seven times.
I will not endeavour to advise him, I will not strive to advise this obstinate deer, for the purpose of advising my mind is not available, this is the explanation.
Then the hunter, capturing this obstinate deer with a noose, after killing him and taking away the meat, departed.