U for Usinara’s Test - Mahabharata Mashup

Namaste, 

Usinara is one of the Hindu kings from ancient times(Dwapara Yuga). He was known as a fair ruler and a yagna performer. One day, hewas participating in a massive yagna that surpassed even Indra’s attempts. Indraand Agni wanted to test Usinara to check if he was his dedication to justiceand dharma was true. 

Indra became a hawk, and Agni turned into a dove.The dove flew towards Usinara and asked for his protection as the hawk swoopedbehind. Unisara shielded the dove with his hands. 

The hawk said to Usinara that he was acting againstdharma by preventing him from eating his food (the dove). The dove trembled inUsinara’s lap in response. 

Usinara replied that his dharma was to offerprotection to the dove that took shelter in his arms. The hawk retorted thateating its food was its dharma and that it would die without food. It askedUsinara to do the right thing. 

The king said he would offer as much meat as thehawk wanted to consume. He gave the hawk options like ox meat, boar meat,buffalo meat, etc. The hawk didn’t want any other meat, as doves and pigeonswere its food. 

King Usinara said he would offer all his wealth andanything the hawk asked except for the dove, which was under his protection.The hawk demanded a portion of the king’s flesh in the same weight as the dove.The king readily agreed. 

The guards brought a scale. Usinara cut a piece ofhis flesh and placed it on the scale. The dove was heavier. This happened a fewtimes. At last, the king stepped on the scale and asked the hawk to consumehim.  

The hawk and the dove transformed into Indra andAgni. They praised him for his dedication to dharma and healed his body. Indra blessed Usinara that his glory would be sung forever and that he would find aplace in heaven after his demise. 

The same story is also attributed to King Sibi,Usinara’s son. Both can be found in Aranyaka Parva of Mahabharata. It is a popular storyin the folklore and has been retold in many ways over the years. 

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