In ancient times, a king named Shivi ruled in India. His subjects lived happily and never tired of glorifying the kindness and generosity of their just ruler. No one ever left him empty-handed. Truly he was the most magnanimous and generous ruler. He dedicated his entire life to protecting the weak and alleviating the plight of the suffering.
The glory of the good king Shivi reached the gods. The god Indra was afraid that King Shivi, by the force of his good deeds, would take the throne from him. And then he decided to test the king. He called the god of death Yama to him and said to him:
“Let’s see if King Shivi’s kindness and generosity are real or if he is just pretending to be kind in order to attract people to his side.”
Yama immediately guessed that the king of the gods Indra was afraid for his throne, but so as not to anger him, he did not say anything.
And so both gods turned into birds: Indra - a falcon, and Yama - a beautiful white dove. They flew and flew and arrived in the mortal realm. A dove trembling with fear was pursued by a bloodthirsty falcon. At this time, King Shivi was sitting in his palace and performing just justice. Suddenly, flapping its wings, a dove flies into his lap and prays:
- O great king! Protect me, save me from the destroyer falcon!
King Shivi felt sorry for the dove trembling with fear, he covered it on his chest and said:
“Don’t be afraid, dove, you’re safe on my chest.”
Before he could say these words, a falcon flew into the window.
- Great king, judge fairly! – he called to Shivi. - Every creature in the world lives by killing and eating another. This pigeon is my prey. You deprive me of my food and commit injustice.
- O king! - the dove begged. -You promised to protect me. I ask for your intercession. You are a kshatriya and you must keep your word.
The falcon raised his sharp beak high and said:
- O king! You sit on the throne of justice. Is it proper for you to trample on my right? I'm hungry.
The king, stroking the frightened bird on his chest, replied:
- No, falcon, I will not give you a dove. It's my duty to protect him. If you are hungry, then I have no shortage of food here. I will order my servants to feed you enough meat. Eat as much as your heart desires.
- O king! I only eat game that I kill myself. If you have already decided to save this pigeon, cut out a piece of meat from your body equal in weight to the weight of the pigeon and give it to me. I'll eat it. But first think carefully - you are young and can enjoy life. Is it wise to sacrifice your beautiful body for the sake of some pigeon?
- I agree. To protect those who seek refuge with me, I am ready to sacrifice my very life. Wealth and youth are not eternal. Only honor and justice do not leave a person until the end of his days.
Seeing that the king was firm in his decision and that trouble was approaching him, the courtiers and ministers prayed:
- O great sovereign! Some demon wants you to die, so he pretended to be a falcon. Don't give in to deception, don't listen to his demands.
But King Shivi was unshakable. At his order, large scales were brought into the hall. The king placed a dove on one bowl, and on the other he put a piece of meat, which he himself cut from his thigh. But the cup with the dove was heavier, and the falcon said with gloating:
- O king! You apparently thought that the pigeon weighed little and you would get away with a piece of your thigh. It’s not too late - don’t be stubborn, give me the dove. It is in vain that you shred your body - your stubbornness will destroy you.
Without flinching, the king said:
– Falcon, my promise is dearer to me than life itself. Look, I'm fulfilling your demand.
And Shivi cut another piece of meat from his thigh. So he cut off piece by piece and put it on the scales. But the dove still prevailed. The king was completely weakened from loss of blood. He no longer had the strength to cut his own body. But none of the ministers and courtiers dared to undertake such a terrible thing. And so, gathering his last strength, Shivi himself climbed onto the scales.
At the sight of such self-sacrifice, exclamations of admiration were heard from all sides. Then Indra and Yama assumed their true form, and Indra said to the king:
- O just king! You passed the test! Your self-sacrifice is worthy of glorification throughout the ages.
With these words, the lord of the gods Indra made King Shivi again unharmed, healthy and beautiful.
Indra felt ashamed that he doubted Shivi’s sincerity, and in parting he said:
- O king! Forgive me for causing you such suffering.
With folded hands respectfully, King Shivi replied:
- On the contrary! It was happiness for me that you considered me worthy of the test. I am a kshatriya, I can not only kill in war, but also die.
“You speak the truth, O king,” said Yama. - Glory to the land that bears such a king!
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru