Once there lived an ophidian in a crevice near a well. It was venomous enough to kill a human, by it’s single sting. It also possessed a noxious mind, and quite often killed people, without devouring them. Panic was set in, amongst the village dwellers. Thirst of water pulled them to the well, but were often succumbed to death, by venom, rather. Fear conquered the minds of the villagers.
A meandering monk came to pass by that village. He was a deep saint; He had been united with the Oneness and was a Paramahamsa (lived like a lotus in the filth). He knew about the pangs of fear boiling within the minds of the villagers. He planned to pay visit to the snake. People warned Him, but He consoled them, and proceeded. He reached near the fissure, with the serpent, waiting for his prey, with his elaborate hood, stretched wide, it’s evil eyes sparkled in daylight and it’s stealthy sober look camouflaged amidst the weeds. The monk asked for the reason of it’s evil deeds. The snake replied that it was scared from the public. He asked it to quit it at once, as it was rotting it from within. Mere killing for the sake of owning a venomous gland, was not good. The saint asked it to obtain it’s meals from little rodents, or insects, rather than killing humans, out of fear. The aura of the sage transformed it inside out. It’s poison glands went dry and mind became evil-free. It realized it’s mistake and vowed to renounce it. The sage gave it a mantra, for it’s wholesome might, and the potent mantra ensured it’s death only after it realized the Self. The people of the village were listening to the conversation, keenly, from a safe distance, out of fear. The monk declared fearlessness to prevail, amongst the people, from that moment. Happiness flooded the minds of all. He proclaimed His visit to the village, next year, for monitoring the scenario. People thanked Him, and He took the leave.
Fearless attitude prevailed as proclaimed, but, loops of revenge arose in some minds. They thought of killing the snake, as it had poisoned many of their kins. They went to it’s home and banged it against the ground, giving it a centrifugation. It became unconscious and it’s spine became crooked. People thought that it died and rejoiced over the death (some people enjoy disturbing others from the state of peace). The serpent made it’s life nocturnal. It used to come out after dusk and consume few fruits or rotting debris, and creeped back into it’s hole. Life continued silently.
After the corresponding year, the monk visited the village for monitoring the condition. He inquired about the ophidian and came to know about it’s death. He didn’t believe them and went near the crevice, to inspect it personally. This time, the villagers bunched themselves into a mob and crowded near the well. The monk called the serpent by a name He had given it, in His first visit. It creeped outside. Surprised by seeing the anorexic snake, the sage asked for the cause. Lost in positivity, the snake replied that since it was feeding on the rotting debris and little rodents, so, it became weak due to the practice of non-violence. The monk lashed at the answer and requested it think for other valid reason, moreover, it’s strength should have been tremendous, due to the mantra it had received. The snake scratched it’s head and recollected the incidence of it’s centrifugation, by the villagers. The serpent mumbled in a polite tone and narrated the incidence, quoting the villagers as innocent people as they were taken over by the feeling of revenge. Listening to the beast, the monk scolded it for it’s stupidity. It was confused, seeing the expression of it’s Guru. He said that He had asked it, to stop unnecessary violence, rather, not to become a slow and sloppy beast, unable to defend itself. Self defense is important when we live in a society, when we are over exploited. The serpent realized it’s mistake and vowed again to improve.
Moral
We are ought to live a life, like that of a lotus, unstained by filth. But, We need to defend the truth in the case of over-exploitation. On the other hand, when we surrender at the Divine feet, He takes care of our defense and exploitation. If we rely on Lord, even we need not hiss for the sake of self-defense. The snake was cent percent obedient to the words of its Guru. But, what about our practice of obedience?
The people mocked at the Guru, when He expressed the notion that the snake was alive. We do the same, before our Guru. People were taken by revenge, and they rejoiced over the death of the beast. We express negative emotions for others, and believe that the others should suffer. The one who sends negative vibs for others, suffers tremendously. Insaan is the being who has taken control over the inns (senses, indriya).
Once we become better in the guna, fron Tamas to Rajas to Satva and finally beyond the triplets, the trigunaatit is the best. Obedience is the best option to become so. It is said, “Aval Allah noor upaaya Kudrat ke sab bande. Ek noor se sab jag upajyaa kaun bhale kaun mande.”