Once the gods Agni and Indra resolved that they should go to the earth-plane and test the virtues of king Sibi. They went to the kingdom of Sibi and reached the place where he was performing a Yajna (sacrifice).

Agni assumed the form of a pigeon. Indra took the form of a hawk. The hawk chased the pigeon. The pigeon fell on the lap of the king for protection. It was almost dead with fright.

The hawk said, “I am tormented by severe hunger. I want to eat this pigeon now. You are called a virtuous king but you will not gain virtue by saving the life of this pigeon because you are hindering me from eating my ordained food.”

The king said, “This little bird is trembling with fear. It has come to me for protection. It is not proper for me to forsake it. He who forsakes one who seeks his protection commits sin.”

The hawk said, “All creatures subsist on food. My life will depart today if I do not appease my hunger. If I die, my wife and children too will perish. By protecting the pigeon, you will be cause of destroying many lives. The good conduct which injures many is not a good conduct at all.”

The king said, “O bird, you want only food. I am perfectly willing to procure for you any sort of food whether it be an ox, or a boar, or a deer, or a buffalo.”

The hawk said, “I do not want to eat a boar, or an ox or any other kind of beast. Hawks eat pigeons. Give me, therefore, this pigeon which is the food which nature has ordained for me.”

The king said, “I am willing to give you this kingdom and all the wealth and also all that you wish to have. I am ready to give up my own life but I will not give up this pigeon.”

The hawk said, “If you have so much affection for the pigeon, then give me as much flesh from your body as would be equal in weight to the pigeon. This would be agreeable to me.”

The king said, “I regard this, O excellent bird, a special favour that you should ask of me. Therefore I shall give you my flesh, weighing it in the scale.”

Thereupon the king cut off a piece of flesh from his body and weighed it against the pigeon, but the pigeon weighed heavier. He cut off another piece of flesh, but still the pigeon weighed heavier. Then he cut off pieces of flesh from all parts of his body and placed them on the scale, but the pigeon still weighed heavier. Thereupon the king himself sat on the scale.

The hawk said, “I am Indra. This pigeon is Agni. You are the foremost of men. You will earn great and undying fame. You have made deep open wounds in your body by cutting off the pieces of flesh. These wounds will heal quickly and will look golden-coloured.”

What a magnanimous soul was Sibi! He had an extremely compassionate heart. He protected the one who had taken shelter of him at the risk of his life.

You should emulate Sibi’s noble conduct. Then you will earn great merit like him.