The Test of King Usinara – Stories from Aranyaka Parva

The Pandavas were on a pilgrimage and reached the region of Kashmira. There, Rishi Lomasa pointed out various sacred sites like Rukmini’s ashram, the place where Nahusha, Agni, and Kasyapa conversed, the area where Rishi Vasishtha lived with Arundhati, and the Bhrigutunga Mountain with Rivers Jala and Upajala. It was here that King Usinara performed a sacrifice that made him surpass Vasava (Indra). 

Yudhistira wanted to know about the yagna. Rishi Lomasa shared the story.

Once upon a time, King Usinara was performing a majestic yagna sacrifice to please the gods. He was known for being a righteous ruler who always followed dharma. Indra and Agni decided to test the king to determine if he was indeed as good as everyone claimed.

Indra became a hawk, and Agni turned into a dove. Agni flew into the site and rushed straight at Usinara to hide in his lap. The dove sought help from the king and requested for the protection of its life. Just then the hawk flew towards them. Usinara shielded the dove in his arms to prevent the hawk from harming it.

The hawk said to the king that he had dharma in his soul, so he shouldn’t stop the hawk from consuming its food (dove). It said by protecting the dove, the king was not following dharma. 

Usinara replied that protecting whoever sought help was his dharma and he was doing exactly that. The dove went to help for safety, and he would provide the bird the same no matter what. When the hawk asked about its own hunger, the king said he would offer whatever food (except the dove), the hawk wanted. He listed various meats like ox, boar, deer, buffalo, etc. 

The hawk said it didn’t want any other meat since the dove was marked as its meal. Becoming the hawk’s food was the dove’s destiny and the king shouldn’t interfere with it. However, Usinara didn’t agree and said he wouldn’t give up the dove but the hawk could ask for anything it wanted. 

The hawk said that if the king had so much affection for the dove, he should cut a portion of his body as substitute food. Usinara agreed immediately and ordered a scale to be placed. He cut a hefty piece of his flesh and weighed it only to realize it wasn’t enough. He continued to add more such pieces but the dove was heavier. Finally, Usinara stepped onto the scale and asked the hawk to devour him completely.

The hawk and the dove transformed into Indra and Agni. They praised the king for his selflessness and determination to protect those who sought refuge from him. Healing his wounds, Indra sat through the yagna and accepted the offerings at the end. Indra and Agni blessed King Usinara that as long as men talked in this world, the story of his deed would be eternal.