Pankhini Pankhe Vivekni Aankhe

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Pankhini Pankhe Vivekni Aankhe" by Ratnasundarsuri, presented chapter by chapter, focusing on the moral lessons conveyed through dialogues between various birds and animals, often contrasting their virtues and behaviors with those of humans.

Overall Theme: The book uses animal analogies and dialogues to highlight various aspects of human behavior, often criticizing negative human traits such as hypocrisy, greed, cruelty, materialism, and indulgence, while also praising positive qualities like simplicity, contentment, kindness, and adherence to dharma. The animal kingdom, in its natural state, is often presented as a foil, demonstrating how humans have strayed from inherent goodness.

Chapter Summaries:

• Page 1: The Crow and the Single Meal

  • A crow recounts its experience in the city, where it overheard a mother telling her child to eat his snack alone, without sharing. The crow contrasts this with its own culture of communal eating and expresses concern about catching the "city's infection" of selfishness, fearing it might destroy their communal eating tradition.
  • Lesson: The importance of sharing and community versus urban individualism and selfishness.

• Page 2: The Vulture's Defamation Case

  • A vulture wants to sue humans for defamation. It argues that humans use "vulture-like" as an insult for cruel people, but vultures only feast on the dead, whereas humans kill living beings, including unborn children, and export meat from slaughtered animals for profit.
  • Lesson: Humans often misjudge and unfairly criticize nature while engaging in far worse acts themselves. Criticism of abortion and the meat industry.

• Page 3: The Peacock and the Machine-like Humans

  • A peacock, after living in the city for a year, tells a dog that humans are becoming like machines. Unlike nature's creations (like clouds, koels, and the ocean) that respond to stimuli with emotion, humans have become desensitized. They are unmoved even by the sight of the divine in temples. The peacock decides to return to the forest.
  • Lesson: The dehumanizing effect of city life and the loss of natural sensitivity and spiritual connection.

• Page 4: The Koel and the Suicidal Youth

  • A koel intervenes when a despondent young man, facing business losses, attempts suicide. The koel, despite its small size and dependence on nature's offerings, maintains its sweetness and composure in all situations. It questions how a strong human can break down so easily.
  • Lesson: Resilience, equanimity in the face of adversity, and the strength of inner spirit over external circumstances.

• Page 5: The Old Parrot's Advice

  • College students ask an old parrot for life advice. The parrot emphasizes the importance of attractive personality, impactful words, and dignified behavior. It warns against the disconnect between outward appearance and inner character, stating that good conduct is more crucial than outward attractiveness or eloquent speech.
  • Lesson: The integrity of character, the importance of aligning personality, speech, and actions, with conduct being paramount.

• Page 6: The Crane's Deceit and Urban Education

  • A fish escapes a crane and complains to a crocodile. The investigation reveals that the crane learned deceit from college students, became an expert in fraud while living with a government officer, and earned an MBA in treachery from a politician.
  • Lesson: The negative influence of corrupted environments and professions on individuals, leading to moral degradation.

• Page 7: The Swan and the Lion's Respect

  • The lion asks a swan why it is respected. The swan attributes it to its principle of eating only pearl-like grain and never compromising its diet. It also states it prefers the company of anyone except humans because of their cruelty, greed, and lack of shame, even resorting to fratricide for money or incest for lust.
  • Lesson: Integrity, principles, and the moral superiority of nature over the corrupt practices of humanity.

• Page 8: The Crow and the Bulbul's Companionship

  • A dog questions a crow about its negative assessment of garden mangoes, which it found rotten, compared to a bulbul's positive review. The crow explains that its environment (living among humans) influenced its perspective, whereas the bulbul, untouched by human influence, saw things differently.
  • Lesson: The profound impact of companionship and environment on one's outlook and perception.

• Page 9: The Bee and the City's Mantra

  • A mother bee teaches her child to draw nectar from flowers without causing them pain, calling it their clan's tradition of "acquisition without pain." She warns her child, who will live in the city, against adopting the human mantra of "causing pain for acquisition."
  • Lesson: The Jain principle of ahimsa (non-violence) and the contrast with human materialism and disregard for others' suffering.

• Page 10: The Mosquito, Bug, and Fly's Complaint

  • A monkey asks a mosquito, bug, and fly why they prefer unsanitary places. They reply that the human they live with is highly critical and only sees others' faults, never their virtues. They believe that by eating the food of such fault-finders, they have absorbed their negative qualities and wish to be placed in the homes of virtuous people to change.
  • Lesson: The influence of upbringing and the environment, particularly the character of those around us, on our own behavior and qualities.

• Page 11: The Kite and Human Desires

  • A kite is asked if it ever feels ashamed of its base state. It admits that while it descends to eat a dead mouse, humans are even worse. Humans abandon God for wealth, parents for wives, and virtues for pleasures and temptations. The kite is glad it's not as base as humans.
  • Lesson: Human desires and attachments often lead to the abandonment of higher values and responsibilities.

• Page 12: The Lion and the Chatak Bird's Thirst

  • A lion saves a 24-year-old man from committing suicide at a brothel. It shows him a chatak bird that only drinks rainwater from clouds. The lion asks the man if, in his thirst for pleasure, he has become worse than the bird by resorting to promiscuity. It warns him against repeating the act.
  • Lesson: Self-control, temperance, and the importance of fulfilling desires through pure and natural means, not perverted ones.

• Page 13: The Crow and the Hypocritical Human

  • Birds discuss humans. A crow remarks that despite its own shortcomings (appearance, voice, behavior), it is not hypocritical like humans, who dress well and speak eloquently but act terribly, betraying those who trust them. The crow feels fortunate to have avoided becoming human in its past lives.
  • Lesson: The hypocrisy of human beings, where outward appearance and speech often mask inner corruption.

• Page 14: The Butterfly and the Pursuit of Wealth

  • A dog asks a young man, who is now content after chasing wealth, how he found peace. The man explains he saw a child chasing a butterfly. When the child stopped, the butterfly landed on him. Taking the butterfly's lesson, he stopped chasing wealth and found contentment.
  • Lesson: The futility of chasing material possessions and the peace found in contentment and stillness.

• Page 15: The Pigeon's Advice and the TV Antenna

  • A pigeon advises a crow to avoid sitting on TV antennas. It explains that TV has led humanity into adultery, and antennas are instruments that facilitate this. Sitting on an antenna could lead the crow astray, which is unacceptable in the bird world.
  • Lesson: The corrupting influence of modern media (TV) and its potential to degrade moral values.

• Page 16: The Birds' Resolution Against Pollution

  • Birds pass a resolution condemning humans for polluting the earth, water, and now the sky through planes, rockets, etc. They decide to avoid any aircraft, realizing that distance from human-made devices is their only safety.
  • Lesson: The environmental destruction caused by human progress and the need for nature to protect itself.

• Page 17: The Sparrow and Human Family Life

  • A sparrow compares its family life to that of humans. Birds leave their nests only to forage and return to their families, fostering strong bonds. Humans, however, spend most of their time outside the home, leading to increased divorce rates, which the sparrow attributes to this lack of family focus.
  • Lesson: The contrast between the bird's strong family values and the declining family structures in human society.

• Page 18: The Crow and the Aborted Child

  • A crow is horrified after witnessing a pregnant woman request an abortion. The crow cries, unable to comprehend a mother becoming a demon and dismembering her own child.
  • Lesson: Condemnation of abortion as an act of extreme cruelty by a mother.

• Page 19: The Parrot in the Cage and True Freedom

  • A parrot, despite its comfortable cage with amenities, cries. It tells its owner that true freedom lies in the sky. It urges the owner to release it and also to break free from the "cage" of worldly comforts and pursue spiritual freedom.
  • Lesson: True freedom is spiritual and internal, not material comfort or physical liberty. The pursuit of spiritual liberation.

• Page 20: The Crow's Marriage Advertisement

  • A widowed crow places a marriage advertisement, seeking a bride who can manage a home and care for his elderly parents. A group of college-student pigeons praises this as a revolutionary step in the bird world, planning to honor the crow.
  • Lesson: A progressive and responsible approach to family and social duties, even in the animal kingdom.

• Page 21: The Vulture and the Cuckoo's Elopement

  • A vulture is accused of kidnapping a cuckoo, but the cuckoo reveals she willingly eloped. They were influenced by observing college students engaging in illicit activities. The cuckoo asks her parents for their blessings for their marriage.
  • Lesson: The influence of bad company (satsang) and the impact of observing morally questionable behavior, leading to similar actions.

• Page 22: The Swan's Advice on Avoiding Human Influence

  • A swan advises birds to stay away from humans at night. Humans roam around after sunset, eating anything, a behavior birds should avoid to remain pure.
  • Lesson: The need for birds to maintain their purity by staying away from human settlements and their corrupting nocturnal habits.

• Page 23: The Fly and Human Ingratitude

  • A fly, riding on an elephant, claims they both shook a bridge. A human corrects the fly, stating the elephant alone did it. The fly then criticizes the human's ingratitude towards God and good deeds, calling the human's shadow "wrong."
  • Lesson: Human beings are often ungrateful and self-aggrandizing, failing to acknowledge divine or virtuous contributions.

• Page 24: The Lion and the Vultures' Cleanup Crew

  • A city official is surprised by the absence of dead animals in the forest. The lion explains that vultures efficiently clean up carcasses, keeping the environment clean. He contrasts this with cities where dead bodies often lie around, polluting the environment, and questions why humans lack such a system.
  • Lesson: The efficiency and ecological role of nature's scavengers compared to human societal failures in waste management and public health.

• Page 25: The Owl, Crow, and the Blindness of Lust

  • A couple is engaging in illicit activities under a tree. An owl points out that it is blind during the day, and a crow is blind at night. A donkey tells its companion that humans are blind both day and night due to lust, which blinds them to morality and their surroundings.
  • Lesson: Lust blinds individuals to moral conduct and reality, both day and night.

• Page 26: The Crow and the Pigeon's Nurturing Act

  • A crow is honored for caring for a cuckoo's eggs and returning the chicks to the cuckoo. The speaker contrasts this with modern women who kill their own unborn children, calling the crow's act a miracle of selfless service.
  • Lesson: The virtue of selfless service and nurturing, contrasting it with the modern human practice of infanticide and abortion.

• Page 27: The Lion's Suicide and Human Comparison

  • Birds discuss the lion's suicide. A lion's suicide note reveals he was hurt by a fox calling him "human-like," implying a comparison to humans' cruelty and deceit. The lion could not bear this insult.
  • Lesson: The profound disgust and shame animals feel when compared to the negative aspects of human behavior.

• Page 28: The Rooster and the Unawakened Human

  • A pigeon asks a rooster why it continues to crow at dawn, even though humans remain asleep. The rooster replies it pities them because they don't awaken even after hearing God's word, their Guru's teachings, or their parents' advice, showing extreme ingratitude and ignorance.
  • Lesson: Human indifference to spiritual and familial guidance, highlighting their lack of wakefulness and gratitude.

• Page 29: The Crow, Fox, and IAS Appointment

  • A fox praises a crow's voice and dance. The crow, showing off its newfound skills (acquired from learning from a fox and then being appointed as an IAS officer by an eagle), performs both. The fox is amazed by its "cleverness."
  • Lesson: The influence of learned skills and ambition, possibly leading to vanity and deception, as birds mimic human professions.

• Page 30: The Judge, Sarus Cranes, and Marital Harmony

  • A judge keeps a pair of sarus cranes in a cage, showing them to couples seeking divorce. The sarus cranes, who remain devoted until death without formal marriage rites, highlight the contrast with human couples who seek divorce despite being married by fire.
  • Lesson: The enduring nature of true love and commitment in the animal kingdom, serving as a lesson for human marital discord.

• Page 31: The Crow and the Biased Audience

  • A crow, inspired by a cuckoo's successful music performance, tries to sing alongside. The audience throws stones at the crow, forcing both to flee. The crow complains to the cuckoo about the audience's bias and decides to perform only abroad where its art might be appreciated.
  • Lesson: The unfairness and lack of appreciation for art and talent when it doesn't conform to societal expectations or preferences.

• Page 32: The Bats and Human Hypocrisy

  • Bats hang upside down, explaining they do so to avoid seeing the "animalistic" nature of humans at night. They witness humans displaying power and intellect by day but indulging in lust and servitude to desires at night, prompting them to choose not to see.
  • Lesson: The hypocrisy of human beings, where outward dignity often hides inner depravity and moral failings.

• Page 33: The Locusts' Plea Against Human Warfare

  • Locusts present a petition to an eagle, seeking its support against humans who use pesticides to kill them, while humans themselves wage wars, causing mass destruction. They wish to disable weapons factories if they get the eagle's approval.
  • Lesson: The hypocrisy of humans who condemn nature's perceived destructiveness while engaging in far greater violence and destruction themselves.

• Page 34: The Swan's Observation of the City's Moral Decay

  • A swan visiting the city describes it as a crematorium where "wisdom" is being cremated. It witnesses the widespread influence of TV, explicit content, nude pictures, obscene posters, and promiscuous behavior in discos and colleges, concluding that birds and animals are far behind humans in the "killing of wisdom."
  • Lesson: The pervasive moral decay and sensuality in urban human society.

• Page 35: The Birds' Corrupted Habits from City College Influence

  • A crow learns makeup, a sparrow learns disco dancing, and a cuckoo learns to smoke from college students. The bird kingdom decides to expel any bird that interacts with city college youth.
  • Lesson: The negative influence of modern education and urban youth culture on the moral fabric of the natural world.

• Page 36: The Birds' Shock at the Idea of Old Age Homes

  • Birds are shocked by the concept of old age homes, questioning how such a "rotten" idea entered their "cultured" bird world. They contrast their own history of caring for parents with human abandonment and abortion.
  • Lesson: The rejection of human societal norms like old age homes and abortion, highlighting the superiority of animal familial duties.

• Page 37: The Birds' Deviant Behavior Inspired by Human Newspapers

  • Birds elope, marry across species, and engage in illicit affairs after reading human newspapers and magazines. The report suggests isolating them from human settlements to restore their natural order.
  • Lesson: The corrupting influence of human literature and information on the natural world, leading to moral chaos.

• Page 38: The Kite and the Importance of Perspective

  • A kite asks a hawk why humans praise kites but condemn hawks. The hawk explains that a kite's focus is always on the ground, seeking carcasses, while a hawk's gaze is upward, seeking the moon. The hawk states that one's perspective, not just location, matters.
  • Lesson: Perspective and aspiration play a crucial role in how one is perceived and in one's own moral compass.

• Page 39: The Mosquito and Fly Awards for Respecting Celestial Bodies

  • A mosquito and a fly receive awards. The mosquito is honored for respecting the sun by not biting during daylight, and the fly for respecting the moon by not settling on filth at night. They are praised for being better than humans, who disrespect both.
  • Lesson: The purity and adherence to natural rhythms, contrasting with human disrespect for divine influences and moral boundaries.

• Page 40: The Crow's Outrage at the "Beauty Parlor" for Birds

  • A crow opens a "beauty parlor" for birds, causing an eagle's outrage. The eagle condemns the concept as a human invention to make women "marketable goods" and urges the crow to close it down.
  • Lesson: The superficiality and commodification of beauty in human society, and the need to reject such influences.

• Page 41: The Birds' Corruption from Urban Colleges

  • A report reveals that birds are getting corrupted by mobiles, drugs, vulgar literature, and bad company found in a college started for birds. The eagle orders the college closed to protect the young birds' values.
  • Lesson: The detrimental impact of modern colleges and the spread of vices among the younger generation, even in the animal kingdom.

• Page 42: The Crow's Desire for Friendship Based on Shared "K" Sign

  • A crow wants to be friends with a cuckoo, pigeon, and peacock because they share the letter "K" (in Gujarati script) in their names, and its own name also starts with "K." The cuckoo explains that friendship is based on shared interests ("Ruchi") rather than shared letters.
  • Lesson: True friendship is based on shared values and interests, not superficial commonalities.

• Page 43: The Birds' Expulsion for Misconduct

  • Several birds are expelled from the sky for various offenses: crow for eating alone, pigeon for visiting a brothel, cuckoo for roaming late with a sparrow, etc. They are warned against any interaction with humans.
  • Lesson: The consequences of adopting human vices and the need to maintain purity by avoiding their corrupting influence.

• Page 44: The Birds' Arrest for Possessing Contraband from Colleges

  • Birds are caught with contraband (alcohol, drugs, vulgar literature) obtained from college students. The birds confess they were inspired by human youth. College students even attack the investigating officers to protect the birds.
  • Lesson: The deep-rooted influence of human corruption on nature and the disturbing support provided by humans to criminal activities.

• Page 45: The Birds' Plea to Stop Tree Cutting

  • A parrot and a pigeon lament the human habit of cutting trees for development, roads, resorts, and highways, which displaces countless bird families. They suggest a hunger strike to protest this destruction.
  • Lesson: The critical importance of trees for bird habitats and the devastating impact of human development on the environment.

• Page 46: The Eagle's Appeal to Vultures and Humans' Cruelty

  • An eagle appeals to vultures to stop feeding on animals slaughtered by humans. It highlights human cruelty in the meat industry and urges vultures to find alternative food sources and stop profiting from human violence.
  • Lesson: The ethical responsibility to reject participation in and profit from human cruelty, even when it seems advantageous.

• Page 47: Birds' Decision to Emulate Animals, Not Humans

  • Leaders of birds decide to emulate animals, not humans, because animals hunt only for survival, while humans engage in cruelty for pleasure, wealth, and power, causing widespread destruction.
  • Lesson: The moral superiority of animals in certain aspects over humans, who are characterized by insatiable greed and destructive tendencies.

• Page 48: Birds' Deaths Due to Human Pollution

  • Birds die from consuming polluted river water, chemically treated trees, and air contaminated with cigarette smoke. A report confirms these deaths are due to human-made pollution.
  • Lesson: The deadly consequences of human environmental pollution on the natural world.

• Page 49: The Cuckoo's Warning Against Human Entertainment

  • A cuckoo warns young birds against visiting human entertainment venues, describing them as places of lust, promiscuity, and vice. It urges them to maintain their purity and tradition by avoiding such influences.
  • Lesson: The corrupting nature of human entertainment and the importance of preserving one's inherent purity and values.

• Page 50: Birds' Answers on What is Most Fearsome About Humans

  • Birds describe humans' eyes (envy), tongue (discord), hands (violence), legs (wrong places), and intellect (plans for war, vice, lust) as fearsome. The swan's answer about human intellect causing evil plans earns it a gold medal.
  • Lesson: A detailed critique of various human attributes that lead to negative actions and societal problems.

• Page 51: The Swan's Depression and the Pollution of Lakes

  • A swan is depressed because its home, Manasarovar, and other lakes are being polluted by fisheries development, making them unsuitable for its pearl-like diet. It finds solace only in the forest.
  • Lesson: The destruction of natural habitats and water bodies by human development, forcing wildlife to seek refuge.

• Page 52: The Birds' Strengths and the Parrot's Virtues

  • Various birds discuss their unique qualities and strengths: chatak (rain), kraunch (beauty), bee (behavior), peacock (form and words), swan (form and conduct), eagle (greatness). The parrot is singled out as the most blessed for possessing beauty, sweet speech, and good conduct.
  • Lesson: Appreciating one's inherent qualities and striving for a balanced life with virtues in form, speech, and action.

• Page 53: The Bull and Horse's Despair over Tractors

  • A bull and a horse cry because tractors have made them redundant. Millions of bulls have been slaughtered, and horses are also facing the same fate. A pigeon laments human actions that lead to such suffering.
  • Lesson: The displacement and suffering of animals due to technological advancements and human indifference.

• Page 54: The Sparrow Chick's Health and Happiness Secrets

  • A sparrow chick tells a boy its health and happiness stem from its mother feeding it and teaching it. It highlights the importance of maternal care and education, which are often neglected in human families.
  • Lesson: The fundamental role of mothers in nurturing and educating children for health and happiness, contrasting with human neglect.

• Page 55: The Crow Becoming a Doctor and the Fear of Abortion

  • A crow becoming a doctor worries other birds that dietary control and morality will be abandoned. The biggest fear is that birds might start practicing abortion, mimicking human trends. They decide to "take away" the crow's doctor's degree.
  • Lesson: The fear that modern professions and human values, like abortion, could corrupt the natural world.

• Page 56: The Eagle and the Lion's Joint Declaration for Tree Protection

  • The eagle and the lion declare that trees are central to the survival of both birds and animals. They urge all to protect trees from humans' industrial development and call for preventing human entry into forests.
  • Lesson: The crucial need to protect trees and forests, which are vital for the survival of all living beings, and to restrict human interference.

• Page 57: The Cuckoo's Disdain for the "Beauty Parlor" Girl

  • A cuckoo questions the appearance of a college girl, calling her "witch-like" because she needs a beauty parlor. It states that real beauty is natural and that parlor-induced beauty makes one unrecognizable, even to their spouse.
  • Lesson: The superficiality of artificial beauty treatments and the value of natural, inherent beauty.

• Page 58: The Birds' Usefulness to Humans and Human Ingratitude

  • Birds list their services to humans: crow cleans garbage, pigeon's dance delights, peacock's song is admired, parrot is kept as a pet, vulture cleans carcasses, rooster wakes people, butterfly delights children, duck pleases with beauty, swan brings joy with wisdom. Despite this, humans are ungrateful, destroying trees, polluting, and harming them.
  • Lesson: The multifaceted utility of birds to humans and the profound ingratitude of humans towards nature.

• Page 59: The Birds' Acceptance of Their Flaws and the Eagle's Wisdom

  • Birds discuss their flaws (crow's voice, peacock's form, firefly's weakness, sparrow's insignificance, pigeon's stupidity, etc.). The eagle explains that they accept their flaws happily because they live in the sky, close to God, and have no complaints about divine distribution.
  • Lesson: Contentment with one's nature and accepting one's inherent qualities without complaint, finding peace in divine proximity.

• Page 60: The Vultures and the Danger of Envy

  • A vulture shares a dead mouse, but other vultures fight over it. The hawk advises against holding onto anything that makes others your enemy.
  • Lesson: The danger of possessiveness and envy, and the importance of sharing to avoid conflict.

• Page 61: The Eagle and the Lion's Fear of Human Authorities

  • The eagle and the lion discuss their fears. The eagle fears Indian authorities planning to threaten their existence, while the lion fears American authorities developing bombs and missiles that destroy forests. They decide to avoid humans entirely.
  • Lesson: The global threat posed by human authorities and their destructive pursuits, necessitating a complete avoidance of human contact.

• Page 62: The Birds' Blame of Other Animals and the Ultimate Fear of Humans

  • Various birds blame other animals (cats, crows, vultures, etc.) for their troubles. The eagle concludes that the ultimate fear is for humans, whose weapons pose an existential threat to all life.
  • Lesson: Humans are the ultimate threat to all of creation due to their destructive capabilities.

• Page 63: The Birds' Caution Against Human Vice in Cities

  • Urban birds are warned to be cautious of human vices like promiscuity, lawlessness, and the erosion of moral boundaries, lest these corrupt their young.
  • Lesson: The need for vigilance against the spread of human vices, especially in urban environments, to protect the innocence of the younger generation.

• Page 64: The Birds' Abandonment by Their Young in Old Age Homes

  • Elderly birds are gathered in an old age home established by a young bird who witnessed humans placing their parents in such homes. The birds lament their children's neglect and wish for a quick end.
  • Lesson: The ungratefulness and abandonment of elders by their children, a trait learned from human society.

• Page 65: The Crow's Arrest for Possessing Contraband from a College Student

  • A crow is arrested for possessing contraband given by a college student and plans to open similar "colleges" for birds. The crow is jailed.
  • Lesson: The continued corruption of the natural world through association with negative human influences and criminal activities.

• Page 66: The Birds Learning Vices from Humans

  • A pigeon learns vegetarianism from an elephant, a peacock learns dance from a donkey, a koel learns sweet speech from a cow, a swan learns restraint from a lion, while a crow, vulture, kite, locust, and eagle learn deceit, cruelty, and violence from humans, citing their "dirt" as the source.
  • Lesson: Humans are the primary source of negative traits and vices observed in the natural world.

• Page 67: The Birds' Corruption from Convent Schools

  • Birds exhibit human vices (crow's voice, pigeon's slyness, peacock's disco dance, swan's meanness, chatak's dirtiness, etc.) after attending convent schools. A report attributes this to the curriculum and behavior of human students.
  • Lesson: The detrimental effect of modern education systems, influenced by human society, on the moral character of birds.

• Page 68: The Bird Court's Verdict on the Defense Minister

  • In a bird court, an eagle prosecutes a defense minister for polluting air, water, and land with weapons testing, causing illness and death among birds. The judge orders the minister's brain removed and sent to the city.
  • Lesson: Holding humans accountable for environmental destruction and the harm caused by military activities.

• Page 69: The Forest Animals Honoring the Vultures, Cuckoo, and Swan

  • The lion awards the vultures for cleaning carcasses, the cuckoo for its sweet songs, and the swan for its wisdom. These awards are met with great applause, scaring humans in the city.
  • Lesson: Recognizing and honoring the positive contributions of nature's creatures to the ecosystem and society.

• Page 70: The Eagle and the Lion's Meeting to Discuss Human Impact

  • The eagle and the lion meet to discuss the threat humans pose through industrial development and deforestation. They resolve to prevent human entry into forests and protect trees.
  • Lesson: A unified stand by nature's leaders to protect their habitat from human encroachment and destructive development.

• Page 71: The Crow's Lack of Regret for Not Having Beauty

  • A crow is asked by a swan if it regrets its lack of beauty. The crow replies it is happy not to have striking beauty, seeing how modern women become brazen to enhance their appearance, making them "marketable goods."
  • Lesson: The rejection of superficial beauty standards and the celebration of natural, unadorned appearance.

• Page 72: The Owl's Indifference to Day Blindness

  • An owl, asked by an eagle about its day blindness, finds solace in knowing that humans watch disturbing content even at noon. This makes the owl's own blindness less distressing.
  • Lesson: Finding comfort in observing human moral failings, which makes one's own perceived shortcomings seem less significant.

• Page 73: The Snake's Escape to the Sky and the Monkey's Deception

  • A snake flies to the sky to escape humans who hunt and torture them for research. A monkey admits it lives in trees and houses to escape humans who claim monkeys are their ancestors and hunt them.
  • Lesson: The cruelty of humans towards animals, forcing them to seek refuge from their own kind.

• Page 74: The Bee's Analysis of Human Flaws

  • A bee describes humans as embodying all the flaws of birds: the fly's dual nature (eating sweets and filth), the mosquito's harm to the virtuous, the crow's cunning, the vulture's scavenging, the locust's destruction, and the kite's greed.
  • Lesson: A comprehensive critique of human behavior, comparing them unfavorably to various birds, highlighting their moral decay.

• Page 75: The Unity of Animals Against the Common Enemy: Humans

  • The eagle proposes that despite internal differences, all animals must unite against humans, their common enemy, who are destroying them through slaughterhouses and deforestation. They must learn from the Kuru-Pandava unity against a common foe.
  • Lesson: The need for solidarity and unity among all living beings to face the existential threat posed by humanity.

• Page 76: The Birds' Disruption of Natural Order Due to Human Colleges

  • Birds exhibit unnatural behaviors (bee on dung, cuckoo on neem, swan near gutter, bulbul on garbage, peacock with crow, pigeon with vulture, etc.) due to exposure to human colleges and their students' conduct.
  • Lesson: The disruptive and corrupting influence of human colleges and their associated lifestyles on the natural behavior and order of birds.

• Page 77: Animals Helping Each Other in Times of Need

  • A dog helps a sick pigeon, a parrot brings water to a weak cow, a crow applies medicine to a wounded deer, and a monkey treats an injured sparrow chick. A passing human witnesses this and asks the lion and eagle about this unusual compassion. They explain it's due to shared suffering and empathy.
  • Lesson: The power of empathy and mutual support in the face of shared suffering, even among different species.

• Page 78: The Crow's Futile Desire for the Eagle's Throne

  • A crow tries to usurp the eagle's throne but is told by a swan that it will remain a crow, black and harsh, lacking the eagle's qualities. The swan advises contentment.
  • Lesson: The futility of ambition and envy, and the importance of accepting one's true nature and finding satisfaction.

• Page 79: Jatayu's Courage and Compassion for Justice

  • Jatayu challenges a vulture for attacking a sparrow without reason. Though injured, Jatayu explains his courage stems from his ancestor's bravery in fighting Ravana, demonstrating his inability to tolerate injustice.
  • Lesson: The importance of standing up against injustice, even at personal cost, inspired by ancestral bravery.

• Page 80: Birds' Fears and the Eagle's Fear of Man

  • In a Q&A session, birds reveal their fears (pigeon: cat, cuckoo: crow, crow: vulture, fly: lizard, parrot: kite, sparrow: peacock, mosquito: dog). The eagle's greatest fear is man, whose weapons threaten all life.
  • Lesson: Man's destructive potential through advanced weaponry is the ultimate threat to all existence.

• Page 81: The Crow's PhD on Humans as Strange Creatures

  • A crow receives a PhD for its thesis on humans as strange creatures. The thesis highlights human contradictions: building temples and brothels, opening slaughterhouses and animal sanctuaries, creating orphanages and facilitating abortions, being both righteous and sinful.
  • Lesson: The paradoxical and often contradictory nature of human beings, making them unpredictable and complex.

• Page 82: Animals' Outrage and the Prime Minister's Apology

  • Animals react to news: a monkey sues the education minister for calling him dog-like, a dog bites a father for insulting his son, a lion sends a tiger to silence a scientist. The Prime Minister apologizes to the animal kingdom.
  • Lesson: The growing awareness and assertiveness of animals against human disrespect and false claims, forcing humans to acknowledge their mistakes.

• Page 83: The Birds' Plan to Appease Humans

  • In the eagle's absence, a vulture proposes that birds try to please humans by cleaning cities, singing sweetly, waking them, dancing provocatively, teaching innocence, and purifying the environment.
  • Lesson: The misguided attempt of nature to appease humans and adapt to their desires, rather than demanding respect.

• Page 84: The Sparrow Chick's Warning Against Human Cages

  • An elder sparrow warns young birds against human "cages" (which offer comfort but limit freedom) disguised as attractions. They should stick to their own nests for true security and freedom.
  • Lesson: The danger of materialistic allurements that compromise freedom and natural living, urging a return to simplicity and self-reliance.

• Page 85: Birds as the Most Fortunate Due to Wings and Sky

  • A parrot argues birds are most fortunate because they have wings and the vast sky, unlike humans (limited to land) or animals (limited self-defense). Bird songs and poems celebrate wings and the sky more than wealth or power.
  • Lesson: The inherent freedom and divine connection associated with the bird's ability to fly and inhabit the sky.

• Page 86: The Crow and the Kite Festival's Envy

  • Observing the kite festival, a crow notes humans' focus on cutting each other's kites rather than enjoying the sky. The crow laments human envy and the loss of their natural innocence.
  • Lesson: Human nature's tendency towards envy and competition, overshadowing joy and simple pleasures.

• Page 87: The Eagle's Calmness Amidst Earthly Turmoil

  • Birds ask the eagle how it maintains calmness amidst worldly chaos. The eagle explains that by flying high, it avoids seeing earthly troubles, advising others to rise above challenges to maintain peace.
  • Lesson: Achieving inner peace by transcending negative experiences and maintaining a higher perspective.

• Page 88: The Parrot's Proposal to Provide Clothes to Immodestly Dressed Girls

  • A parrot observes scantily clad young women in the city and suggests covering them with large banana and coconut leaves to maintain modesty. The crow doubts their willingness to accept this.
  • Lesson: A naive attempt to address human immodesty through natural means, highlighting the vast gap in understanding between nature and modern society.

• Page 89: The Birds' Drunkenness and Recovery

  • Birds are found speaking nonsensically after accidentally drinking alcohol instead of water at a five-star hotel. They are treated and recovered.
  • Lesson: The detrimental effects of alcohol and the accidental contamination that can occur due to human environments.

• Page 90: The Birds' Illness from City Food

  • Birds fall ill from eating city food: popinjays get diarrhea, peacocks have blood pressure issues, crows have heart attacks, pigeons have high cholesterol, kites get malaria, parrots suffer paralysis, and mosquitoes die trying to bite humans.
  • Lesson: The unhealthiness and toxicity of human-produced food and environments, posing a threat to the natural world.

• Page 91: The Birds' Offer to Teach in a Children's School

  • Birds volunteer to teach in a children's school: peacock for dance, cuckoo for music, rooster for punctuality, pigeon for innocence, butterfly for lightness, crow for cleanliness, parrot for vegetarianism. The eagle promises rewards for their service.
  • Lesson: The willingness of nature to impart its virtues and teachings to the younger generation, aiming to improve the human condition.

• Page 92: The Birds' Resolution to Protect Trees and Water from Humans

  • Birds resolve to protect trees and water from humans, especially the wealthy and powerful, as their existence depends on them. Their efforts to protect these resources from humans have so far been unsuccessful.
  • Lesson: The critical need for nature's solidarity to protect its vital resources from human exploitation and destruction.

• Page 93: The Swan's Praise for the Bee's Principle of "Acquisition Without Pain"

  • The swan praises the bee for living by the principle of "acquisition without pain," drawing nectar without harming flowers. It wishes birds could adopt this principle to differentiate themselves from humans who cause harm for gain.
  • Lesson: The importance of non-violence and causing no harm in any pursuit, a principle exemplified by the bee and contrasted with human actions.

• Page 94: The Pigeon's Invitation List and Family Vow Against Non-Vegetarianism

  • A pigeon's wedding invitation explicitly disallows meat-eaters (vultures, eagles, crows, snakes, peacocks, kites, etc.). The family has a generations-old vow against non-vegetarianism, which they intend to uphold.
  • Lesson: The commitment to vegetarianism and the maintenance of ancestral traditions, rejecting practices deemed impure.

• Page 95: The Parrot's Death from Alcohol and a Warning to Birds

  • A parrot dies from drinking alcohol given by a hotel owner's son. Birds are warned against accepting food or drink from humans, especially youth, due to potential contamination.
  • Lesson: The dangers of accepting offerings from humans, particularly the youth, due to their often corrupt practices and the risk of contamination.

• Page 96: The Birds' Miraculous Changes After Visiting Mansarovar

  • Birds like the crow, vulture, kite, peacock, and parrot undergo remarkable behavioral changes after visiting Mansarovar and spending time with a swan. They abandon their typical habits and adopt virtuous ones.
  • Lesson: The transformative power of spiritual journeys and good company (satsang) in purifying one's character.

• Page 97: The Eagle's Last Wish to Address Children

  • The aging eagle wants to address children from all backgrounds, urging them to be "great" (good) rather than "big" (powerful or dominating). He criticizes human pursuit of power, wealth, and lust, which has led to destruction. He implores children to remain innocent and pure.
  • Lesson: The final message of wisdom from the eagle, emphasizing the importance of inner goodness, innocence, and the rejection of power-driven ambition, which ultimately leads to the eagle's passing.

• Page 98: The Eagle's Speech to Children

  • The eagle addresses children, praising their innocence and purity, contrasting them with adults who pursue power and cause destruction. He warns against the human pursuit of greatness through domination and the resulting chaos.
  • Lesson: A direct plea to the younger generation to cultivate inner goodness and purity, avoiding the pitfalls of human ambition and corruption.

• Page 99: The Eagle's Plea for Children to Remain "Small" at Heart

  • The eagle continues his address, reinforcing that humans strive to be "big" (dominant) rather than "great" (good), leading to atrocities like abortion and warfare. He urges children to remain "small" in heart, pure, and virtuous, and to aspire to be "great" (divine).
  • Lesson: The call to cultivate inner humility, purity, and goodness, aiming for spiritual enlightenment rather than worldly power.

• Page 100: The Children's Vow and the Eagle's Demise

  • The children vow to be great, pure, innocent, and simple. Overwhelmed by their heartfelt promise, the eagle's heart fails, and he passes away, leaving the children in profound sorrow.
  • Lesson: The ultimate sacrifice made by the eagle for the betterment of humanity, and the deep impact of innocence and goodness on the world.

This detailed summary covers the key narratives and moral lessons presented in the book, highlighting the author's use of animal parables to convey profound ethical and spiritual insights.