Uśīnara

Uśīnara was a king known for his firm duty of śaraṇāgata-rakshaṇa, which means protecting those who come to one for shelter. The Mahābhārata tells his account in the Vana Parva, Chapters 130 and 131. Lomaśa tells it to Yudhishṭhira as the highest example of a king’s dharma, kept even at the greatest cost.

The test

In the Śyena-Kapotīya account, Agni took the form of a hawk and Dharma took the form of a pigeon. They acted out a scene to find out whether Uśīnara would break his word of protection when under great pressure.

The pigeon flew into Uśīnara’s lap, shaking with fear. He promised it protection at once, with no hesitation. This is śaraṇāgati, the act of taking refuge with someone.

The hawk then argued that to deny him his food was also against dharma. Uśīnara was caught between two duties. He did not pick one over the other. He offered himself. He cut flesh from his own body as food for the hawk, equal in weight to the pigeon. The pigeon still weighed more on the scale. He cut more and more, and at last he stepped onto the scale himself.

The result

His readiness to give his whole body passed the test fully. It showed that his duty to protect those in his care had no condition. It reached even to giving up his life.

The devas showered flowers. His body was made whole again at once. He rose to the highest world in a divine vimāna (a flying chariot). The hawk and the pigeon showed their true forms as Agni and Dharma. His act was the full expression of kshatriya dharma, the duty of a warrior-king.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapters 130–131 (Śyena-Kapotīya account, told by Lomaśa to Yudhishṭhira)