In plain words
The dove fell into Emperor Śibi's lap. “King, save me, save me,” it pleaded. But all this was a play Indra staged to test Emperor Śibi's sacrifice. He gave his word that he would protect the dove. The hawk came. King! How can you hide the bird that I am chasing? Was it not because I came chasing it that this bird came to you? So this dove is mine. You are a king. Follow Dharma. You. Rule your kingdom. “I know. It is my duty to protect the bird that has taken refuge in me,” he said. “Whose food it is, whose meal it is, whose dove it is, I do not care. It is my duty to protect one who has taken refuge in me. Whoever it may be, what is that to me? I have given my word of protection to this one. I cannot go back on my word. Whatever this dove weighs, I will cut that much of my own flesh and give it to you; take it,” he said. It happened only as a test. He brought scales and went on cutting off the limbs of his body. But the bird did not weigh even. He cut away all his flesh. To save one dove, Emperor Śibi went on to sacrifice even his own body. At last, when he rose to cut off his own head, Indra appeared. This was a play staged to test you. This is no dove. I am no hawk. I am Indra. I am pleased with your sacrifice. Is there a sacrifice greater than life? Because he said he would sacrifice the body itself, Indra was pleased. Emperor Śibi gave worth to humanness. There are many such men of sacrifice in Bhārata.
Vāmana asked Emperor Bali for three steps. With one step Vāmana took up the whole earth. With the second step He took up the whole sky. For the third step there was no room at all. “Where is room for one more step?” asked Vāmana. He showed his own head. He told Him to place the third step upon his head. Just then fear arose among all the gods. “Alas, how hard-hearted Nārāyaṇa is!” they thought.
Not counting even a little that he was His mother's brother, He slew King Kaṃsa; with not the least thought that she was a woman, He cut down Tāṭakā's body; Bali gave what was begged of him without saying no, and He pressed him down into the nether world. What shall I say on earth of such a Hari, who has no mercy?