Dharmaraja Yudhishtira asked Bheeshma, “O epitome of dharma! Pitāmaha! I now wish to hear the qualities of compassionate and devout persons. Please have mercy on me and reveal these qualities to me.”
Bheeshma thoughtfully replied, “Yudhishtira! I will narrate the ancient incident that took place between a high-minded parrot and Indra.
In the kingdom of Kāshirāja, a hunter took arrows dipped in poison and headed to the forest in search of deer. After travelling some distance in the dense woods, the hunter desirous of meat saw many deer and released the arrows.
The aim of the hunter was indeed unerring but on this occasion, the arrow missed the target and instead struck a massive tree.
The moment the tree was hit by the poisonous arrow, the poison began to spread causing it immense harm. Its fruits and leaves fell off and the tree began to slowly dry up.
A parrot which had been residing in a hollow space in the tree had great love and affection for the tree and hence, did not leave the tree even though it was drying up.
That righteous and grateful parrot did not go anywhere and even gave up pecking food. He became so frail that he was unable to speak. So, in this manner he also began to die like the tree. He possessed tremendous courage and persevered in these difficult conditions.
His effort appeared to be supernatural. Seeing the parrot who viewed happiness and sorrow in equal measure, Indra became astonished. Indra began to ponder over how this bird was in possession of this unworldly compassion that is definitely impossible in birds.
He thought that it was perhaps not so astounding as one sees different things exhibited by the beings in the universe and calmed himself.
Taking the form of a Brahman, Indra descended to earth and spoke thus to Shuka (parrot), “O most excellent among the birds. O Shuka! By attaining you, Daksha’s granddaughter Shuki is extremely fortunate. I ask you why don’t you leave this tree now?”
Shuka offered prostrations and replied humbly, “Devaraja! I am very pleased to receive you. I have understood who you are by the strength of my tapas.”
Hearing this, the thousand-eyed Indra thought in his mind, “What a truly extraordinary personality!”
He then offered his pranāms mentally to the parrot. Knowing full well the affection and love the parrot had for the tree, Indra asked the pious parrot, “Shuka! All the leaves of the tree have fallen off; there are no fruits either. As the tree has dried up, it is not a worthy residence for birds anymore.
When this vast forest is there, why are you still worshipping this stump? There are many trees in this forest where the hollows are beautified with green leaves and where there is sufficient space for birds to fly.
O resolute Shuka! The lifespan of this tree has come to an end and its strength is destroyed. Its essence has been exhausted and its beauty has been snatched. Please think about all these matters and renunciate this old tree.”
On hearing the words of Indra, the devout Shuka took a long breath and said thus, “It is inappropriate to violate the words of the Deva. O Devaraja! Please listen to what I have to tell you.
I took birth on this tree and learnt good habits and qualities by residing here. This tree has protected me like a child and did not allow enemies to attack me. So, for all the aforementioned reasons, I have great affection for this tree. I observe the dharma of kindness and do not want to go elsewhere.
Therefore, I beg you not to make my goodwill worthless. The great indicator of dharma is the compassion shown by exalted persons towards others. Kind high-minded persons always bestow happiness.
All the Devathas come to you to clear their doubts about matters of dharma. Hence, you have been consecrated in the position of the Lord of the Devas.
O thousand-eyed One! Please do not try to separate me from this tree. When it was healthy, I have lived here for a long period of time under its protection spending my life and now that it is frail, I am to abandon it; how can that be?”
Indra became pleased on hearing the soft gentle words of the parrot and said thus, “Shuka! Ask for a boon.”
Shuka asked that the tree regain its former splendour. Understanding the strong devotion and love of the parrot, Indra became more happy and immediately infused amrut into that tree.
New leaves, fruits and large branches started growing. The tree became healthy and vibrant as before because of the firm devotion of the parrot who then attained Indraloka at the end of his life.
[Excerpt: Anushāsanaparvani, Dānadharmaparva, Mahābhārat]
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