In Book 3, Section 131 comes the story of Sibi. All of us know
the story in which a hawk comes after a pigeon, which lands on King Sibi’s lap
asking for protection. Later we learn that Sibi would rather give his own flesh
to the hawk than let the pigeon be eaten. What most of us do not hear about is
the conversation between the hawk and the king. It is a remarkable discussion
on what virtue is and how one decides what is right, when there are competing
interests.
A king’s duty is to give protection to whoever comes asking
for one. So Sibi refuses to give up the pigeon. The hawk says: “How can you do
this deed unworthy of you. I am hungry and you are withholding my food. You
think you are practicing virtue; but, in reality you are not”. The king
replies: “This pigeon is afraid of being eaten and has come to me asking to
save its life. Why do you think that allowing him to be eaten by you is a
greater virtue?”.
The hawk says: “it is from food that all beings derive their
life and get sustained. One cannot live long without food. If deprived of food,
I will die. If I die, members of my family will also perish. By protecting this
single pigeon, you jeopardize many other lives. A virtue that stands in the way of another, is certainly not a virtue,
but in reality, is unrighteousness. After comparing opposing virtues, and
weighing their comparative merits, one should act in a way not opposed to some
other virtue. O king, strike a balance between virtues and follow a path which
is more righteous”.
The king said, that forsaking one who has sought asylum is
not virtuous. And says: “You are hungry. You need food. There are so many other
options – an ox, a deer, a buffalo. Ask me for one and I will get you”. The hawk says: “I do not eat a fox or an ox. A
pigeon is my natural food. That is way nature has ordained things.”. The king
refuses and says “ask for any other thing – but not this pigeon”. The hawk asks
for the kings flesh and he does so etc.
Finally, the hawk declares himself to be Indra and the
pigeon declares himself to be Agni and say that they were there to test the
greatness and magnanimity of King Sibi.
It is interesting that this story is repeated in Book 13, Section 32. In that section, King Sibi is referred to as Usinara and Vrishadarbha and as a royal sage of the kingdom of Kasi.
It is interesting that this story is repeated in Book 13, Section 32. In that section, King Sibi is referred to as Usinara and Vrishadarbha and as a royal sage of the kingdom of Kasi.
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