An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s7.221

c5.s7.221

[Kapota-lubdhaka-saṃvāda(ḥ)] ("the conversation between the dove and the fowler"). § 551b (Āpaddh.): Bhārgava related: A cruel fowler (description) was surprised in the forest by a great storm (description); the paths of the forest were all submerged; he caught a she-pigeon and immured her in a cage; when the sky cleared he passed the night under a tree, having bowed down to the deities that had this tree for their resort (XII, 143). In one of the branches of that tree the male pigeon lamented the loss of his wife (XII, 144). The she-pigeon answered him from within the hunter's cage, telling him to do the duties of hospitality to the fowler (XII, 145). The male pigeon welcomed the fowler, who was stiff with cold, by igniting a fire; as the fowler was hungry, the pigeon (quotiug R; D. and P.) himself entered the fire, at which the fowler became terrified, thinking of his own cruel life (XII, 146), expressed his repentance, and set at liberty the she-pigeon, etc. (XII, 147). The she-pigeon lamented for the death of her spouse; then she threw herself into the blazing fire; the couple of pigeons ascended to heaven (XII, 148). The fowler took to rigid penances, perished in a forest conflagration, and beheld himself in heaven in splendour like Indra among Y. and G. and Si. (XII, 149).