There was once a woman named Thalavati who was very beautiful. She had a son and a daughter out of wedlock.
When her son was born, she put him in a bamboo basket and abandoned him. Fortunately, on that day Prince Abaya was on his way to see his father, King Bimbisara. He noticed some crows hovering and when the servants went to investigate, they found the baby. The prince decided to adopt the baby and named him Jivaka (meaning that the baby was found alive).
When Jivaka was older, he decided to learn a special skill as he was amongst those of royal lineage. He chose to study medicine.
Without seeking permission, Jivaka secretly attended university and gained great knowledge from a very learned professor. In order to deepen his knowledge, the professor instructed him to get a hoe and to find a tree or plant with no medicinal properties within 12 miles of the city. Jivaka searched high and low but could not find even one.
Jivaka returned to the professor and told him he could not find any such plant.
‘You already know about medicine extremely well and can make it your profession for life, Jivaka,’ he replied.
After paying his respects and expressing gratitude to his professor, while homeward bound, he cured some sick people who could not be made well by anyone else. Jivaka became famous and was known as the Royal Physician Jivaka.