A Parrot Who Chose Compassion Over Comfort

This is a story from the kingdom of Kashiraja. A hunter, carrying an arrow dipped in poison, left his village and started looking for deer here and there. After entering a dense forest, he saw some deer a little distance away. He aimed at the deer and shot an arrow, but the arrow missed its mark and struck a big tree. The sharp poison spread throughout the tree, causing its fruits and leaves to rot, and the tree began to slowly dry up.  

A parrot had been living in the hollow of that tree for many years. The parrot had a deep affection for the tree, so even as it dried up, the parrot didn't want to leave it and go anywhere else. It stopped coming out and also stopped eating; as a result, it could not even speak anymore. In this way, this virtuous parrot, out of compassion, began to dry up its own body along with the tree. Observing its generosity, patience, extraordinary effort, and equanimity in joy and sorrow, Indra was greatly impressed. 

Subsequently, Indra descended to Earth, took on the form of a man, and spoke to the bird, 'O best of birds, parrot, I ask you, why don't you leave this tree?' On hearing Indra's question, the parrot bowed its head in salutation and said, 'O Lord of the Devas! Welcome. I recognized you by my spiritual strength.' Hearing this, Indra thought to himself, 'Wow, what an amazing power!' Then, asking the reason for its attachment to the tree, he said, 'Parrot! This tree has neither leaves nor fruits, and now no bird even stays on it. When such a vast forest is there, why do you live on this dry tree? There are many other trees whose hollows are covered with leaves, which look beautiful and green, and which have plenty of fruits and flowers to eat. This tree's life has come to an end; it no longer has the power to bear fruits and flowers, and it has become lifeless and barren. So, using your intellect, think and abandon this dry tree.' 

Hearing Indra's words, the virtuous parrot sighed deeply and said in a humble voice, 'O Lord of the Devas! I was born on this very tree and learned many virtues here. It protected me like a child and saved me from enemy attacks; that's why I have great loyalty to this tree. I do not wish to leave it and go elsewhere. I am following the path of compassion. In such a situation, why are you giving me this useless advice? For virtuous people, showing compassion to others is considered the greatest duty. When the gods have any doubt about duty, they come to you for its resolution; that's why you have been made the king of the gods. So, please do not ask me to abandon this tree because when it was capable and I relied on it to sustain my life, how can I leave it now that it has become powerless?' 

Hearing the parrot's gentle words, Indra was deeply moved. Pleased with its compassion, he said, 'Ask me for any boon.' Then the parrot said, 'Let this tree become green and lush like before.' Seeing the parrot's devotion and noble nature, Indra was even more pleased. He immediately showered nectar on the tree. Then new leaves, fruits, and beautiful branches sprouted from it. Due to the parrot's compassionate nature, the tree regained its former state, and the parrot, after its lifespan ended, was granted a place in Indra's abode due to its compassionate behavior. 

Learnings

1. Compassion and Loyalty: The parrot's unwavering devotion to the tree, even when it was barren and dying, teaches the value of compassion and loyalty. Despite facing hardships, the parrot did not abandon the tree that had sheltered it for so long. This demonstrates that true loyalty is not conditional but is rooted in gratitude and love. Compassion involves selfless actions, and the parrot's care for the tree, even to the point of its own suffering, exemplifies this virtue.
2. Selflessness Leads to Divine Favor: The parrot's selfless behavior attracted the attention of Indra, the king of the gods. This part of the story illustrates that selfless actions, especially those done out of pure love and compassion, do not go unnoticed. The parrot did not act out of a desire for reward, yet its pure-hearted devotion resulted in divine intervention and blessings. This suggests that the universe often rewards selfless deeds, even if not immediately or in a way one might expect.
3. The Power of Perseverance: The story also highlights the power of perseverance in difficult circumstances. Despite the tree’s decline, the parrot remained steadfast in its dedication. This teaches that perseverance, even in the face of adversity, can lead to positive outcomes. The parrot's determination and unwavering faith ultimately led to the tree's revival. It shows that enduring tough times with patience and steadfastness can eventually bring about transformation and renewal.
4. Resilience and Growth:The parrot shows resilience by refusing to abandon the tree despite its suffering and declining health. Moreover, its unwavering support contributes to the tree's revival, symbolizing that enduring hardship with a positive attitude can lead to renewal and growth. This reflects the idea that going through challenging experiences, if approached with a resilient mindset, can lead to personal development, deeper empathy, and a stronger sense of purpose, much like how the parrot’s perseverance led to both the tree’s revival and its own elevation to a divine status.

Knowledge Bank

How to strengthen your bhakti?

Bhakti can be strengthened by developing indifference towards objects which give pleasure to the five sensory organs: ears, skin, eyes, tongue, and nose, and by also avoiding thinking about them. A mind absorbed in Bhagavan becomes stronger and stronger in bhakti.

Harivarasanam lyrics

हरिवरासनं विश्वमोहनम् हरिदधीश्वरमाराध्यपादुकम् । अरिविमर्दनं नित्यनर्तनम् हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये ॥ १॥ चरणकीर्तनं भक्तमानसम् भरणलोलुपं नर्तनालसम् । अरुणभासुरं भूतनायकम् हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये ॥ २॥ प्रणयसत्यकं प्राणनायकम् प्रणतकल्पकं सुप्रभाञ्चितम् । प्रणवमन्दिरं कीर्तनप्रियम् हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये ॥ ३॥ तुरगवाहनं सुन्दराननम् वरगदायुधं वेदवर्णितम् । गुरुकृपाकरं कीर्तनप्रियम् हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये ॥ ४॥ त्रिभुवनार्चितं देवतात्मकम् त्रिनयनप्रभुं दिव्यदेशिकम् । त्रिदशपूजितं चिन्तितप्रदम् हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये ॥ ५॥ भवभयापहं भावुकावकम् भुवनमोहनं भूतिभूषणम् । धवलवाहनं दिव्यवारणम् हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये ॥ ६॥ कलमृदुस्मितं सुन्दराननम् कलभकोमलं गात्रमोहनम् । कलभकेसरीमाजिवाहनम् हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये ॥ ७॥ श्रितजनप्रियं चिन्तितप्रदम् श्रुतिविभूषणं साधुजीवनम् । श्रुतिमनोहरं गीतलालसम् हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये ॥ ८॥