King Shibi and the Dove
Once, long ago, there was a king named Shibi, who was renowned for his justice and kindness. 1
Watching him from above and impressed by his gentleness, Indra—king of the Devas—and Agni decided to test him.
Shibi’s reputation spreads far and wide, but I wish to truly test it!
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Ifeelmuchthe same,brother—I willhelpyouand seeformyself!
One day soon after, King Shibi was interrupted in his yajna by a dove flying into his lap.
No sooner than Shibi gave his word, the dove’s pursuer arrived.
Protect me Lord! I am cruelly pursued!
Oh! Fear not, a King protects the weak, so you are under my protection.
Surrender the dove—it is my natural prey!
Defend me, Lord!
I cannot offer this dove, for I have promised it my protection. You may have any other meat you choose, be it ox or boar or buffalo.
The hawk demanded a cruel solution, horrifying the court.
What can I do with that meat? I am a hawk and my prey is the pigeon, anything else is against the natural order.
King Shibi offered a compromise to both feed the hawk and protect the dove, but to no avail. 5
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You offered me any other meat. If you truly value this dove so highly, cut off its weight in your own flesh!
Thank you, generous hawk. You do me favor.
Shibi sent for a set of weights to estimate the heft of the dove, but no matter how many he called for they were seemingly too light
No matter how much weight I put in the bag, the dove weighs more!
Oh noble hawk,it is already clear to me that to match the weight of this dove I will die of the injury—take me whole then, so that no meat goes to waste, and so my blood does not pollute this courtyard!
Come now, why delay so long with weights? Will you keep your word and do your dharma, or save your skin?
Finally, Shibi realized that there was only one way to do his duty and keep his word
The courtiers cried out for him to stop, however…
Before they could reach Shibi, Indra and Agni ended their deceit.
Hail Shibi! I am Indra and the dove was Agni! We have tested you and found you truly noble.
Indra offered a boon to Shibi and suggested eternal fame or a place in heaven. Instead…
O Lord Indra, let my boon be that my people never suffer unjustly at the hands of gods or men!
The dove became Agni in a shower of flowers, and in between blinks the hawk became Indra. 9
You are truly wise! You will receive this boon and both that I offered.
10 Shibi ruled for many happy years after and his story is told to this day
This story is sourced from Chapter 22 of Book 3 of Satyamurti’s
Mahabharata-AModernRetelling
All artwork is courtesy of Paulina Trifonova (Swarthmore, Class of ‘25)