Mahabharata Bibliomancy Reading
This oracle randomly points to a line from one of sacred books of Mahabharata. The surrounding lines are also provided for context.
Your passage is from BOOK 13 - ANUSASANA PARVA - SECTION V.
Then the latter praised him in his mind, saying,--'O, how wonderful is the knowledge which he possesses.'--Although the destroyer of Vala knew that parrot to be of a highly virtuous character and meritorious in action, he still enquired of him about the reason of his affection for the tree.
Surrounding Context from
BOOK 13 - ANUSASANA PARVA - SECTION V
The tree, violently pierced with that arrow tipped with virulent poison, withered away, shedding its leaves and fruits.
The tree having thus withered a parrot that had lived in a hollow of its trunk all his life, did not leave his nest out of affection for the lord of the forest.
Motionless and without food silent and sorrowful, that grateful and virtuous parrot also withered away with the tree.
The conqueror of Paka (Indra) was struck with wonder upon finding that high-souled, and generous-hearted bird thus uninfluenced by misery or happiness and possessing extraordinary resolution.
Then the thought arose in Sakra's mind,--'How could this bird come to possess humane and generous feelings which are impossible in one belonging to the world of lower animals?
Perchance, there is nothing wonderful in the matter, for all creatures are seen to evince kindly and generous feelings towards others.'--Assuming then the shape of a Brahmana, Sakra descended on the Earth and addressing the bird, said,--'O Suka, O best of birds, the grand-daughter (Suki) of Daksha has become blessed (by having thee as her offspring).
I ask thee, for what reason dost thou not leave this withered tree?'--Thus questioned, the Suka bowed unto him and thus replied:--'Welcome to thee O chief of the gods, I have recognised thee by the merit of my austere penances'--'Well-done, well-done!'-- exclaimed the thousand-eyed deity.
Then the latter praised him in his mind, saying,--'O, how wonderful is the knowledge which he possesses.'--Although the destroyer of Vala knew that parrot to be of a highly virtuous character and meritorious in action, he still enquired of him about the reason of his affection for the tree.
'This tree is withered and it is without leaves and fruits and is unfit to be the refuge of birds.
Why dost thou then cling to it?
This forest, too, is vast and in this wilderness there are numerous other fine trees whose hollows are covered with leaves and which thou canst choose freely and to thy heart's content.
O patient one exercising due discrimination in thy wisdom, do thou forsake this old tree that is dead and useless and shorn of all its leaves and no longer capable of any good.'"
"'Bhishma said, "The virtuous Suka, hearing these words of Sakra, heaved a deep sigh and sorrowfully replied unto him, saying--'O consort of Sachi, and chief of the gods, the ordinances of the deities are always to be obeyed.
Do thou listen to the reason of the matter in regard to which thou hast questioned me.
Here, within this tree, was I born, and here in this tree have I acquired all the good traits of my character, and here in this tree was I protected in my infancy from the assaults of my enemies.
