It was Dharına himself who had become a deer that lived in that forest for many years. Dharma provided for his salvation and advised him, saying,-This (destruction of living creatures) is not according to the ordinances about Sacrifice..
स तु धर्मो मृगो भूत्वा बहुवर्षोषितो वने। तस्य निष्कृतिमाधत्त न त्वसौ यज्ञसंविधिः॥