Image source : http://archive.org/details/mahabharata02ramauoft
Shibi chakravati was the son of Ushiinara King and a devotee of Vishnu. Shibi was a King who never said a "No" for a donation and his fame was praised by everyone. Devendra and Agnideva once wanted to test the greatness of Shibi’s limits of donation. Agnideva took the form of a Pigeon. Devendra took that of a Eagle. The Pigeon, which was chased by the Eagle, came to Shibi chakravarti’s palace where he was seated and pleaded “Save me!! save me!!”. Seeing this, a Shibi's guru said “O' King! Because of life-threat this Pigeon came to you for protection. Every being has the right to survive. Also there is no greater help than protecting a being's life.”. Pigeon replied “O' King! Being afraid of the Eagle I have asked you protection. Rules say that a King must protect the weak and disabled”. The Eagle, which reached the palace by then, said “O' King! Every being takes many forms. This pigeon came to your protection. But dont forget that Pigeon is the food for a Eagle. Please leave this Pigeon, which is my food, and save my life. If I don't eat now, I will die.”. Shibi chakravarti thought “In a country ruled by a king who does not give protection to a weak and disabled being asking for shelter who has life-threat, there will be no rains, no crops and it will become a barren land. Also the people will have to face many difficulties and finally such king will reach hell. However, the Eagle is hungry and has put in a lot of effort chasing its food. Taking away its food is also a sin. Now what should I do?”. Thinking so led to the following conversation. Shibi: O Eagle! I will give you a better, tastier food than this. Please leave this Pigeon. Eagle: O' King! No other thing can be tastier than this pigeon. It was decided by Brahmadeva that they are food for us. Shibi: O Eagle! I cannot leave this Pigeon that is in my protection and break the rules. I am also ready to sacrifice my life to save the Pigeon. You ask me whatever you want except this. Eagle: O' King! If you really want to protect this pigeon, give me the flesh from your right thigh which is equal in weight to that of the Pigeon. Immediately Shibi chakravarti got a balance and kept the Pigeon on one side and started to cut his thigh and weigh it. Howmuch ever he cut it was not enough to equal the weight of the pigeon. Failed to equal the weight of the pigeon from his thigh flesh, he himself sat on the balance and told the eagle that it can eat him. At this stage, the two gods revealed their identity and Agni said, “O' King! I am Agnihotra. This Eagle is Devendra, We came to test your will to protect and donate to the needy and your compassion towards other beings. You qualified in the test. Your fame will spread throughout the world. Your son will also live up to your name”. Having said that and blessing Shibi both the gods disappeared from there.
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January 2014
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