Shibi, the compassionate

Dr. V. Ramakantha *

Indra and Shibi :: Pix - AmarChitraKatha.com

Invariably, all the revered human beings of the past that we fondly remember were unique in being highly compassionate. Their limitless love and compassion knew no boundaries and distinction. Here is an inspiring story of king Shibi, the very personification of compassion.

Shibi was a generous king. He was so kind and good to all people and the world around him that he became a very famous in all the three worlds - Swarga (Heaven), Bhuloka (Earth) and the Paathala (the Nether World). Devendra, the king of gods once wondered as to how far can Shibi stretch himself in being kind to an another being. He made a plan with the god of fire, Agni. Together they descended to earth, taking the form of an eagle and a dove respectively.

The eagle chased the dove, and the dove flew and landed on the lap of Shibi, who was at that time taking respite in a garden. The eagle perched on the branch of a nearby tree and kept staring at its prey. The king picked up the beautiful looking dove from his lap, which was shivering in fear, fondled it, keeping to his bosom. Looking at the eagle he asked it to find its food elsewhere.

"Why should I seek food elsewhere?" questioned the eagle, "my food is right there in your hands, and you better not interfere in my affair".

The King was shocked to hear a reply from the bird. However, in the Satya Yuga (the Era of Truth) in which he lived, it was not very uncommon that animals conversed with human beings.

"Look here, my dear eagle", said the king, "there is plenty of food, a variety of meat in my kitchen for you, and you can eat your fill. You can have food of your liking not only today, but every day, as long as you live. As this little dove has sought protection from me, it is my duty to save its life".

"We the denizens of the jungle are not greedy like you human beings to hoard food for tomorrow. For that matter, we do not think of tomorrow at all. Please don't try to lure me or corrupt me with the thoughts of future. The bird in your hand is my legitimate prey, and you will do well to release it from your grip."

With a bemused smile on his face the king asked the eagle as to what would compensate the dove.

Pat came the reply. "An equal amount of flesh from your body should suffice" said the eagle.

Shibi thought for a while. After all, how much could be the weight of this fragile looking dove? Weighing the pros and cons, ultimately, the brave king agreed to spare an equal amount of flesh from his body.

As per his order, a balance was set before him. He kept the dove on one pan and with the help of a sharp knife cut off a chunk of flesh from his thigh and placed it on the other pan. To his dismay, it was not enough. Having committed himself to offer equivalent weight of flesh, there was no turning back. He cut another large portion of flesh from his leg and placed it on the pan.

But the bird was still heavy. It did not take long for the king to figure out that another cut of meat from his body would not suffice. Mustering his will power, the king sat on the other pan, closed his eyes, and said, "You can eat me."

The gods appeared before the king in their true form, and gone was the cause of pain in his body. Devendra, the king of gods bowed before the earthly king and proclaimed that the latter was the greatest of all in all the three worlds. He blessed king Shibi saying that his earthly life will be most fulfilling, and that he will be awaited at the heaven when the sojourn on earth will come to an end, where he will be welcomed with honour.

An Enlightened being, whom I had the great fortune to interact with said that most of the human beings are born as human animals. However, with Sadhana (spiritual practice), carried out under the guidance of an adept, one can acquire humane qualities like compassion, mercy, sharing, caring, tolerance and such other virtues that King Shibi possessed; and ultimately with the mercy of the Sadguru, one can get divinized to the extent of becoming 'God - Like'.