Heavenward Bound: The Dove's Teachings of Duty and Karma

One day, a hunter was hunting in a dense forest. He stumbled on a stone and got hurt. After walking some distance, he saw a tree. Under its shade, he felt some relief. As the sun set, he worried about his family. Cold made his hands and feet shiver and teeth chatter.

On the same tree, a dove was anxious for his wife. She had not returned from gathering food. In fact, she was trapped in the hunter's cage. Hearing her husband's lament, the dove said, 'Dear husband! I am trapped in this hunter's cage. Please do not worry about me and fulfill your duty of hospitality. This hunter is suffering from hunger and cold. He has reached our home in the evening. He is a distressed guest. Even though he is our enemy, he is still a guest. So, treat him well. I am trapped due to my own deeds. Blaming the hunter is useless. Stay firm in your duty. All gods and ancestors come in the form of tired guests. By serving a guest, we serve all. If a guest leaves disappointed, all gods and ancestors leave too. Ignore that this hunter has captured your wife; treating wrongdoers well is considered virtuous.'

The dove was greatly influenced by his wife's religious teachings. His sense of duty awakened. He approached the hunter and said, 'You are my guest. It is my duty to serve you even at the cost of my life. You are dying from hunger and cold. Wait a moment.' Saying this, he flew and brought a burning piece of wood. He placed it on a pile of wood.

Gradually, the fire started. The hunter felt relieved from his stiffness. The dove circled the hunter and then threw himself into the fire, sacrificing himself to provide food for the hunter. Seeing the dove enter the fire, the hunter panicked and cursed himself. He then released the dove’s wife and other birds from the cage. The dove’s wife followed her husband's path. The dove and his wife then took divine forms and ascended to heaven.

Seeing them leave, the hunter sought their refuge and asked for a way to salvation. The dove advised him to bathe in the Godavari River. After bathing for a month, the hunter also ascended to heaven. Today, that place in Godavari is famous as 'Kapota Tirtha.'

Teachings of the Legend:

1. Hospitality to Guests: The dove's wife emphasizes the importance of treating guests well, even if they are enemies. This reflects the value of hospitality and the belief that all gods and ancestors visit in the form of guests, and by serving them, we serve all.

2. Self-sacrifice: The dove's act of sacrificing himself to provide food for the hunter highlights the virtue of selflessness. It teaches the importance of putting others' needs before one's own, even at great personal cost.

3. Forgiveness and Compassion: The dove's wife advises her husband not to blame the hunter for her capture, implying that one should not harbor ill will towards others, even those who have wronged us. This encourages forgiveness and compassion.

4. Duty and Dharma: The dove and his wife both stress the importance of performing one's duty (dharma) regardless of the circumstances. This teaches adherence to one's moral and ethical responsibilities.

5. Faith in Karma: The dove's wife mentions that her captivity is a result of her own deeds, reflecting the belief in karma, where one's actions determine the fate. This encourages individuals to accept their circumstances and focus on righteous actions.

6. Transformation through Good Deeds: The hunter's transformation after witnessing the dove's sacrifice signifies that witnessing and understanding virtuous acts can lead to personal redemption and spiritual elevation.

7. Spiritual Liberation: The legend concludes with the hunter seeking refuge in the teachings of the doves and ultimately achieving salvation, symbolizing that spiritual liberation is attainable through sincere repentance and following righteous paths.

Overall, this legend underscores the importance of hospitality, selflessness, compassion, duty, karma, and the potential for spiritual redemption.

Knowledge Bank

Kabir represented which bhakti tradition?

Saint Kabir professed nirguna bhakti, devotion towards the formelss Supreme Almighty.

Who was Abhaya in Mahabharata?

Dhritarashtra had a hundred sons called the Kauravas. Abhaya was one among them.