Shibi

Shibi, also spelled Sibi, is the name of a legendary king who appears in ancient Indian and Buddhist literary traditions. He is most famous for the Sibi Jataka, a tale that centers on extraordinary generosity and just kingship. In the story, a hawk pursues a dove, and the king offers his own flesh to feed the hawk in order to save the dove, demonstrating that a rightful ruler must protect life and uphold dharma even at great personal cost. The tale is used to illustrate the virtues of dana (generosity) and righteous governance.

The Sibi Jataka is part of Buddhist literature and has been told in variations across Pali and Sanskrit sources, as well as in Chinese and other Southeast Asian Buddhist traditions. Beyond the Jataka, the legend has influenced Buddhist art, folklore, and moral discourse, where Shibi is portrayed as an idealized monarch whose integrity legitimizes his sovereignty.

In modern usage, Shibi can be found as a given name in South Asia and among diaspora communities, reflecting cultural admiration for the figure’s qualities. While the figure is widely treated as legendary rather than historical, the story of Shibi remains a foundational example in discussions of leadership, virtue, and generosity in both religious and literary contexts.