RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS INSECTS AND REPTILES

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RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS INSECTS AND REPTILES.

 

Numerous are the instances when Sri Sai Baba saved his devotees from

snakes or death from snake bites. In some instances, he actually

foretold the accident and vouchsafed protection.

 

At Shirdi, one day, Nana Saheb Dangle who had acquired considerable

proficiency in Astrology, told G.M. Buty, a rich devotee from Nagpur,

that there was a "ganda" or danger to Buty's life that day. A little

later, both of them went to the Masjid and sat near Baba, mentioning

nothing of the apprehended danger. But Baba himself broached the

subject and addressed Buty:

 

Baba: What does Nana say? He sees Death coming to you, eh? We have no

need to fear. Strike! Let me see how you strike and kill!

 

Spared Long:

 

Later, in the evening, Buty went out to ease himself; and near him

was a snake. Both he and his servant saw the snake; and before they

could fetch a stick to despatch it, it moved away. The "ganda" or

danger had indeed come. But under the eye of Baba, that watches

everything everywhere, the danger was averted. Buty had much pious

work for Baba yet to do; and Baba shielded his life and limb for

years till the arrival of the fated hour in 1921.

 

While in this case the snake escaped, in all others even in the

presence of Baba the snake was clubbed to death, Did Baba approve of

it?

 

The general question of clemency to noxious reptiles and insects

bristles with difficulties and conflict of interest. Texts may be

quoted on each side.

 

Tukaram, a great authority in the Maharashtra has said that snakes

and scorpions are God (Narayana) and that they should be worshipped –

of course, at a safe and respectful distance. The Sage of

Dakshineswar preached the same doctrine, stressing the precautionary

clause at the end, in respect of tigers, etc., but showed by example

that bugs and other such vermin may be killed. Srimad Bhagavad

SkandaVII says: Even a saint may rejoice at the killing of snakes and

scorpions. H.S. Dixit, ex. M.L.C., was greatly perplexed by these

considerations; and he put the question in his own peculiar way to

Baba, "To prevent death from snake bite people kill venomous snakes

as soon as they see them. Is that right?"

 

Baba said "No, A snake will not kill a person, unless so ordered by

God (i.e., Destiny). If that is ordered, that person will not

succeeds in killing the snake and escaping destiny."

 

Numerous devotees encounter snakes at Shirdi not infrequently; and

they generally let them pass scot free, treating them as Baba in

Reptile form.

 

(Courtesy: HH Pujyasri B V Narasimha Swamiji)