(Shanti Parva- Vyasa Mahabharata)
Yudhishthira asked, ‘O grandfather, you are a master of all scriptures! Tell me what the merits would be obtained by a person who supports a person seeking his protection.’
Pitamaha Bhishma smiled at his question and said, ‘O Pritha! I heard a beautiful story of a pigeon who satisfied his enemy by giving his own flesh and received heavenly bliss by having supported his suppliants! O Yudhishthira, this story was once told by Parashurama to King Muchukunda. That I shall recite again.
Thus, Bhishma retold the story——————-
Long ago, there was a dreadful fowler (hunter) used to move around the jungle for hunting. He looked like a second Yamadeva. He never tried to understand the sinfulness of his life. One day he was busy hunting, suddenly a heavy storm took place that uprooted many trees. Lightning with heavy downpour created havoc in the forest. Trembling with cold and stricken with fear, the fowler roamed here and there looking for elevated spots. But, the whole forest was under water. All the dwellers of the forest were panic stricken with fear of storm and rain!
Many birds dropped dead on the ground out of the tremendous force of rain! The hunter felt his limbs numb from the cold. He could not move a little! At that very time, he saw a she-pigeon lying on the ground numb. The wicked hunter, though afflicted with cold himself still could not understand the miserable condition of the she-pigeon! He picked up the she-pigeon and put it in the cage. Even at such a time, he had no mercy for the innocent bird!
After a while, the storm was over and the sky was cleared. But, the hunter decided to spend the night under a tree as his house was quite a distance from that spot. He rested under a tree resting his head on a stone. That particular tree was a dwelling place of many birds. The pigeon who was caught by that hunter, her family was living there in one of the branches of that same tree. That morning, his wife ( the she-pigeon) had gone out in search of food but had not yet come home! Looking at the approach of nightfall, the he-pigeon became extremely worried. He began to bewail addressing his wife: ‘O beloved! It has been a long time thou has not returned yet! This home seems empty to me without your presence, O dear wife! You never eat before I eat, never lie down or sit before I do! You ever engaged yourself in my service, why not present before me now? Is any danger befallen on you in the forest? O my devoted wife!’
‘O dear! You are always devoted to me. You did everything that is agreeable to me. O my love one! Truly a noble wife is the richest treasure of her husband. In this world the wife is the only companion in all the good and bad times! You are my best friend! Why have you not returned till now?’
Hearing the piteous wailing of the he-pigeon, the she-pigeon felt herself the most fortunate one as her husband was praising her endlessly. Overwhelmed with grief, the pigeon's wife said, ‘O dear husband! Now listen to my advice- forget all the pain and be a rescuer of this hunter who is suffering from cold. He is our guest! O dear, I know you are virtuous and a follower of dharma. It is our duty to show our hospitality towards our guests. So, follow that course which has been ordained for us. A person who practises virtue according to his abilities gains endless regions of bliss. Do whatever that he may be pleased with. Satisfy his hunger by offering your own flesh if required!’
The he- pigeon was delighted when he heard these words of morality and reason spoken by his dear wife. His heart filled with joy! He recalled one old saying— the tree doesn't withdraw its shade even the person who comes for cutting it down. Diligently one should do his duties of hospitality towards a person who seeks shelter. Thus, he approached the fowler and asked him to express his wishes without any hesitation.
The fowler who was afflicted by cold and hunger told him to arrange some fire to warm his numb limbs. Without any delay, the pigeon collected some dry leaves and set fire to it. The fowler began to warm his limbs. When he asked for food to satisfy his hunger, the pigeon had nothing to offer instantly. But, he thought for a while then decided to give his own flesh to eat. Addressing the bird killer, he said, ‘O Fowler, eat my flesh and satisfy your hunger.’
Saying so, the pigeon gave three rounds to the fire then entered into it. The fowler was shocked looking at the undesirable incident! His heart was filled with grief being the cause of death of that innocent he-pigeon. He was moved by the self-sacrifice of the little bird just for him! He began to repent for his own sinful act, indeed! Thus censuring himself, he said, ‘I am a cruel wretch! I am ever sinful! By sacrificing his own life, the pigeon has taught me a great lesson! Now, renouncing everything, I would lead an ascetic life.’
Thus the fowler made up his mind to follow the rigid vows. He threw away his strong staff, his nets, and the iron cage liberating the she-pigeon from there. He went away to the deep forest.
After the fowler had left there, she-pigeon remembering her husband wept loudly. She said, ‘O dear husband! It is meaningless to live my life without you.’ Filled with sorrow, the pigeon jumped into the burning fire to end her life too.’
Eventually, the fowler also killed himself entering into the conflagration in the forest. But before his death, he saw a beautiful chariot where these two pigeons turning to celestial form were seated and going to heaven!
This story is a brilliant example of love, compassion, and mutual understanding between husband and wife! Besides that the self-sacrifice of the pigeon had changed the mode of life of the cruel fowler. The hunter realised his mistake, his own sinful act and vowed to live a life of righteousness and self-denial. He embarked on a new journey, a life of renunciation. He embraced a life of humility, compassion and service to others. The noble deed of the pigeon inspired him fully!
Comments