Ushinara

Lomasa begins a tour of the sacred region of Kashmira, pointing out holy lakes, mountains, and hermitages to Yudhishthira. He recounts the story of King Ushinara's sacrifice — a test by Indra and Agni that would determine whether a mortal king could equal the gods.

King Ushinara's sacrifice surpasses Indra's own, drawing the king of the gods and Agni down to test him. Indra becomes a hawk, Agni a dove — and the dove, fleeing the hawk, alights on the king's thigh seeking refuge, beginning a trial that will reveal the measure of a mortal king.

A dove, fleeing a hawk, lands trembling in King Ushinara's lap and begs for protection. The hawk follows, demanding its rightful prey. Ushinara refuses, arguing that abandoning a refugee is the worst adharma — and offers the hawk his entire kingdom instead.

As Ushinara ascends the scales, the hawk reveals itself as Indra and the dove as Agni. They came to test his dharma. Indra proclaims that Ushinara's deed will be celebrated as long as men speak in this world. Lomasha then shows Yudhishthira the sacred site where it happened.

Ushinara agrees to the hawk's condition: cut his own flesh equal to the dove's weight. He cuts piece after piece, but the dove always weighs more. When no flesh remains on his body, he ascends the scales himself — giving everything he has left.