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STORIES · THE MAHĀBHĀRATA · Beyond the text

Gita Mahatmya: the parrot, the prostitute and the sinful Brahmin

In the text — not yet checked

A parrot that quoted Gita chapter 1 saved a prostitute and a Brahmin.

Padma Purana's Gita Mahatmya ties a story to each chapter. Susharma, a Brahmin who sold leaves and indulged in meat and wine, is reborn as a bull and then a Brahmin. He learns that a prostitute's merit came from a caged parrot that recited the first chapter, who had been a proud Brahmin. All three reach Vaikuntha.

Who: Susharma, Parrot, Prostitute

Bound to

Gita Mahatmya: Dushasana reborn as an elephant same-story-other-version

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Gita Mahatmya: Indra replaced by a Brahmin; Janashruti and Raikva same-story-other-version

Day twelve: Suśarmā and the Saṃśaptakas draw Arjuna away mirror

Where this comes from

• purana · Dipika: The Gita Mahatmya, the Glorification of the Bhagavad Gita (PDF) chapter 1 story

See it on the tree · All stories

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