Skip to main content

A Pound Of Flesh

 

There was a famous and pious king named Sibi. Once, while he was performing a sacrifice, a pigeon came there and asked him to save it's life. Sibi noticed a hawk in the vicinity of the sacrifice too. He then promised to save the pigeon and asked the hawk to leave it alone. But the hawk said it would die of starvation if it does not eat anything. Sibi told the hawk that he would give up anything as a substitute including his kingdom except the pigeon since it had sought his protection. The hawk then said, if protecting the pigeon was so important to him, he had to give up a piece of flesh equal to the weight of the pigeon from his right thigh. The king agreed. Soon, a weighing machine was set up with the pigeon on one side and a piece of flesh from the king's right thigh on the other. But, to everyone's amazement, the pigeon was heavier! So, the king offered more and more portions of his flesh, but still the pigeon weighed more! Soon, he offered his entire body and the hawk disappeared. King Sibi became whole again. Lord Indra then arrived there and told Sibi that he had disguised himself as the hawk and Lord Agni had disguised himself as a pigeon to test him. Indra then blessed king Sibi.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When Love Is Real, It Finds A Way

  Long ago in a kingdom of Madra ruled a king named Asvapati. Though he was a righteous king, he did not have any children. His counselors advised him to pray to God Savitr. So, Asvapati prayed to Savitr. Then Savitr pleased with his devotion, appeared before him. He told the king his desires will be fulfilled. Soon, Asvapati's wife delivered a girl child. Asvapati was overjoyed! He named the child Savitri to show his respect towards the God Savitr and celebrated her birth with pomp and ostentation. Soon, Savitri grew into a beautiful maiden and it was time to get her married. So, Asvapati made arrangements to find a suitable match for her. But, none agreed as she was both beautiful and intelligent. So, Asvapati asked Savitri to choose a husband for herself. She agreed and visited various kingdoms. On the way through one of the forest, she saw a handsome hermit and fell for him. She could not forget his face. Later when she visited the forest again she found out that he was not a h...
Post a Comment
Read more

Story Of Chakra Tirtha

Once, there was a brahmana named Padmanabha who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He performed a severe penance on the banks of Chakra Pushkarini. On being pleased with his penance, Lord Vishnu appeared before him.  On seeing Lord Vishnu, Padmanabha started to eulogize him. Being pleased with Padmanabha's devotion, Lord Vishnu granted him a boon stating that he would remain eulogizing Lord Vishnu till the end of that Kalpa in Chakra tirtha.  After some time, a rakshasa caught hold of Padmanabha. Being afflicted, Padmanabha prayed to Lord Vishnu. The Lord sent his discuss Sudarshana, to save him. Sudarshana saves Padmanabha and kills the rakshasa. Then Padmanabha eulogizes Sudarshana. Being pleased, the discuss told him that he would stay permanently in Chakra tirtha. The discuss also said that those who take a bath in Chakra tirtha, all their sins will be washed away. There was once a Gandharva named Sundara. He once went to take a bath in a pond in Srira...
Post a Comment
Read more

Think Before You Curse

  Once upon a time, Lord Shiva was explaining the Vedas to Goddess Parvati. This went on for many years and eventually Parvati's attention got a little diverted. This irritated Shiva and he cursed her to be born as a fisherwoman. He immediately repented after doing this. But, once a curse is uttered, it cannot be revoked. Hence, Parvati was born as a baby on earth and found lying under a tree by the Chief of Paravaras (A clan of fishermen). He adopted her and bought her up. She was a quick learner and learnt all the skills of fishermen. Soon, she was admired by all. Meanwhile, Lord Shiva was repenting in his abode. Nandi (his attendant) consoled him and came up with a plan. Shiva agreed. Nandi took the form of a shark and began to torment the village of the fishermen. Then, the Chief of the Paravaras told he would offer his daughter, Parvati to the person who captures the shark. Many fishermen tried to capture the shark, but to no avail. Then, finally when the Chief of Paravaras as...
Post a Comment
Read more