Long ago, there was a deeply religious Brahmin named Devadutta. Devadutta devoted his entire life to studying the Vedas, performing charity, and performing yagnas. He was convinced that he would go straight to heaven after death.
When Devadutta died, he was presented before Yamaraja. Yamaraja reviewed his deeds and smilingly said, "Devadutta, your virtues are immense. You deserve a place in heaven, but there is a small obstacle. You once unknowingly insulted a hungry creature, so you will have to go to the 'bird's womb' for just one day."
A Turn of Ego
Devadutta thought it would be a matter of one day. He descended to earth as a beautiful swan. But as soon as he regained the body of a bird, he became proud of his past righteousness. He began to look down on other ordinary birds.
Then he met an old crow. The crow looked dirty and was eating leftovers. The swan (Devadutta) said with disgust, "How vile you are! Look how pure and righteous I am!"
Realization of the Truth
The crow suddenly spoke in a human voice, "Devadutta, the 'religious form' you are proud of is merely a guise. You are disgusted even as a swan, and I am content even as a crow. Religion is not in the body, but in the vision. You performed rituals all your life, but love for all living beings has not awakened in your heart. That is why you have been given this bird form so that you can connect with the earth."
Devadutta realized his mistake. He understood that religion lies not in rituals, but in compassion. As soon as he touched the feet of the crow (who was Dharmaraja himself), his bird form ended and he attained true salvation.
Essence of the Story
This story teaches us that no matter what 'yoni' (form) we are in, our dharma should be only altruism and the renunciation of ego. Dharma without compassion is merely a show.
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