13.005
The dialogue between Śukra and Indra.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O grandsire, I desire to hear in entirety the qualities of non-cruelty, of dharma, and of the devoted person; please tell me that. (13-5-1)
Bhīṣma said.
In the territory of the king of Kāśi, a hunter left the village, took a poisoned stick, and indeed went to hunt an animal. (13-5-2)
There, in the great forest, a hunter greedy for flesh, having seen a deer not far away, aimed his arrow. (13-5-3)
By that irresistible weapon, by the unsteady arrow aimed, the great forest tree was pierced as the one desiring to kill the deer there. (13-5-4)
Struck by a sharp, poison-smeared arrow with great force, the tree, having shed its fruits and leaves, has withered away. (13-5-5)
Having long dwelt in the hollows of that tree, the parrot does not abandon its home there, out of devotion to the tree. (13-5-6)
He, grateful and righteous-souled, remained without movement, without food, weak, and with feeble speech, and dried up together with the tree. (13-5-7)
Indra, having recognized him as a noble, great being whose actions were superhuman and who was equal in pain and pleasure, was astonished. (13-5-8)
Then Śakra (Indra) became thoughtful: "How has this Brāhmaṇa, who is established in compassion, come to be born in the animal womb, which is inconceivable?" (13-5-9)
Now, or, there is nothing wonderful here—thus it was for Vāsava; but for all living beings here, everything is seen everywhere. (13-5-10)
Then Indra, having taken on the appearance of a brāhmaṇa in human form, descended to the earth and spoke to that bird. (13-5-11)
O parrot, best among birds, O daughter of Dakṣa, you who have good offspring, I ask you: why do you not leave this dry tree? (13-5-12)
Then, when asked, Śuka, after respectfully bowing his head to him, said: "Welcome, O king of the gods; I have come to know you through my austerities." (13-5-13)
Then, Indra (the thousand-eyed) said, "Well done, well done." Thus, exclaiming "Oh, knowledge!" he was honored by austerity thereafter. (13-5-14)
Bala-sūdana, knowing even that attainment, asked Śuka, who was supremely righteous and engaged in auspicious deeds, thus. (13-5-15)
Why do you serve a tree that is leafless, fruitless, dry, and offers no shelter to birds, when this great forest is here? (13-5-16)
There are also many other trees with leaf-covered hollows, auspicious and with sufficient space for movement, in this great forest. (13-5-17)
O wise one, having considered with wisdom, abandon this tree whose life is gone, whose strength and essence are diminished, and whose splendor is destroyed, for it is indeed unstable. (13-5-18)
Having heard what was spoken by Śakra, the righteous Śuka, deeply sighing for a long time and distressed, indeed spoke these words. (13-5-19)
The divine laws are not to be transgressed, O lord of Śacī. Know that wherever you were, there you are, O lord of the gods. (13-5-20)
I was born on this tree, endowed with virtues by the virtuous; in my childhood I was protected and not oppressed by enemies. (13-5-21)
O sinless one, why do you cause me to feel that compassion is fruitless? Compassion is for the devoted, the faithful, and the follower. (13-5-22)
Compassion is indeed the very great mark of dharma among the virtuous; and compassion always bestows delight upon the virtuous. (13-5-23)
You alone are asked by all the deities about doubts concerning dharma; therefore, O god, you are established in the lordship over the gods. (13-5-24)
O thousand-eyed, you are not worthy to make me abandon this here out of devotion; how could I abandon today one who is capable and whom I have depended upon? (13-5-25)
Gladdened by his gentle words, Indra, pleased by compassion, spoke to Śuka, the knower of dharma. (13-5-26)
Then, when told "Choose a boon," the parrot chose the boon of always having the existence of that tree, being ever devoted to compassion. (13-5-27)
Having realized the steadfast virtue of that parrot, Indra, pleased, quickly sprinkled the tree with nectar. (13-5-28)
Then, that tree had fruits, leaves, and also beautiful branches; because of the parrot's firm devotion, the tree also attained prosperity. (13-5-29)
O great king, Śuka, by that compassionate act, indeed, at the end of his life, attained the world of Indra. (13-5-30)
In the same way, O king of men, one who takes refuge in a devoted person attains all success, just as a tree does when it gains a parrot. (13-5-31)
