Never Will I Leave Thee
In ancient times in the city of Benares there lived a hunter who was in the forests one day looking for antelope. In those days poisoned arrows were used as the weapon. These were kept in a quiver on the hunter's back. Now, deep in the forest he suddenly found a herd of antelopes and, choosing a target, shot his first arrow. Of course the animals scattered. He missed his aim and the poisoned shaft penetrated a large tree.
Gradually that poison entered the life-system of the tree and made it shed all its leaves and fruit. In a hollow in this tree there lived a small parrot who had been there for many years. (Parrots often have very long lives.) Although the tree was now withered and could no longer provide the parrot with her food, she would not leave her nest. Half-starved and silent, she resolved to stay with her host, the tree.
When any very noble vow is taken on earth, Lord Indra, it is said, feels the "hot seat". So now his throne heated up very much. Looking down to earth for the cause of this, Indra marvelled at the devotion and resolve of this noble bird. He wondered how a lowly creature like this could have such unusual feelings. "But then," he said to himself, "maybe it is not so strange after all, because every creature has some tendency to be loyal and self-sacrificing." He decided to test the parrot, and coming to earth, he travelled to the great tree and came up to the hollow.
"Good bird," he said, "why don't you go to some other tree and leave this withered one?"
"Welcome to you, O Indra, king of the gods," replied the parrot. "By the power of my spiritual practices I recognize you through the disguise and understand who you are."
"Good for you!" Indra exclaimed, marvelling at the bird's wisdom. Again he asked, "There are many good trees hereabout, and some have hollows in them; why do you not forsake this barren old fellow?"
The parrot sighed. "I am your servant. But look: in this very tree I was born and nurtured. Here I learned my wisdom. My tree has protected me from every enemy. Why do you urge me to leave the path of dharma (virtue) when I feel grateful and compassionate? How can I abandon now the tree who has lived so long as my protector?
At this Indra was so pleased that he asked the bird to "choose a boon"; that is, he would grant him whatever he wished.
"Very well," said the parrot, "then let the tree be revived." Indra thereupon sprinkled it with his magic "water of life" and the sap in it began to flow once more and the tree soon put forth leaves and blossoms.
Human beings too, by friendship with the righteous and holy, get their good desires fulfilled.
King Yudhi-sthira, before he went to Heaven was given a look into it and there he saw a number of his enemies, and his heart burned. What were those villains doing in Heaven? They did not belong there at all! Then he was given a look into Hell. Standing at the gate he saw the scenes of fire and torture and heard the murmuring of voices, crying and sighing, and begging him to come and console them. Then he recognized some of these voices : they belonged to his relatives and companions! Anger blazed up in him. He said to his guide, "This is an outrage. Go to the high gods and tell them I shall never be with them again. What! Evil men dwelling with them, and these my kinsmen fallen into Hell? This is a crime. I will never live with those who have brought this about," he thundered. "I will stay here with my friends." The messenger left and Yudhi-sthira was alone, heartsick and brooding over the fate of all these he loved.
The scene quickly changed. The sky became bright and all the foulness and misery of Hell disappeared. Yudhi-sthira, looking up, saw that he was surrounded by the gods. "Well, done, noble hero," said they, "your trials are over, you have fought and won. All kings must see Hell as well as Heaven. Your lifelong compassion has made you divine. Enter now, together with these, your kinsmen and friends, into the kingdom of Heaven and take on your immortal form and state."
Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists
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