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Bhagawan Mahavir 1
T 91
Videhas. It was at this time that two gods, having once adopted the forms of a pigeon and a hawk came to me in order to test my faith, perhaps. The pigeon flew down and sat into my lap. The hawk, too, came rushing after him, in a few seconds. The conversation which took place between us is given below. The hawk spoke in his own (bird's) language and I answered him in the same. Hawk:- “Why have you kept my prey in your lap?
Leave it at once for I am very hungry ". Myself:- “This pigeon has sought my protection, and I
cannot give him to you as long as I am alive". Hawk:-- "If you are not ready to do so, you must, instead,
give me some flesh from your body and satisfy
my hunger". Myself:- “Well, I like this idea very much. You can
appease your appetite in this way". Hawk:-- "Quite so. Will you please cut; with your own
hand, some flesh from your body, which should
be equal to this pigeon in weight?” "I was beside myself with joy, when I heard this proposal from the hawk. The diwan (Prime Minister), the queen and other members of the family as well as the state officers, however, did not like this idea at all. They tried their best to prevent me from indulging in such a fatal bargain, but I had already made up my mind. I ordered the servant to bring the scales and a knife. I placed the pigeon in one of the dishes (pans) of the balance and piled up pieces of flesh, which I had cut off from my thigh. · When I found that all the pieces I had cut off one after another, were not going to balance with the pigeon, I seated myself in the scale. The hawk was very much delighted at this; he assumed
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