THE STORY OF KING SHIBI
Long ago, there was a noble and just king named Shibi. He was known for his truthfulness, kindness, and sense of justice. The gods decided to test his generosity and courage.
One day, a dove, trembling with fear, flew into his court and cried out, “O King! Save me! A hawk is chasing me!”
Just then, the hawk appeared and said, “O King, I am hungry. That dove is my food. If you protect him, I will starve.”
King Shibi was in a dilemma. He wanted to protect the innocent dove, but he also did not want the hawk to go hungry. So, he made a brave decision.
He said, “I will not let any creature suffer in my kingdom. I will give you my own flesh, equal in weight to the dove.”
A pair of scales was brought. The dove was placed on one side, and the king began placing pieces of his own flesh on the other. But no matter how much he gave, the scales did not balance.
Finally, King Shibi himself sat on the scale — and it balanced!
At that moment, the dove and hawk turned into gods — Agni (the fire god) and Indra (the king of gods). They were testing the king's virtue and were pleased by his selfless sacrifice. They blessed him and healed his wounds.
✨ Moral of the Story:
True greatness lies in selflessness, compassion, and courage. King Shibi is remembered even today for his unshakable values and devotion to dharma (duty).
