Haridatta’s Struggles
Haridatta was a Brahmin who lived in poverty. Though he was a farmer, the piece of land he cultivated yielded very little, making it hard for him to survive. One hot summer day, unable to endure the heat, Haridatta sought shade under a big tree on his land.
The Cobra’s Revelation
As he was about to lie down, he noticed a huge cobra with its hood open near a nearby anthill. Haridatta thought, “This cobra must be the Goddess of this land. I have never worshipped her, which is why I am not able to get anything from the land. From today, I will worship her.”
He quickly went back to his village and returned with a glass of milk. Pouring it into a bowl, he addressed the anthill, “O ruler of the land, I did not know you were living in this anthill. That is why I have not paid my tribute to you. Please excuse me and accept this humble offering.” He then placed the bowl of milk at the anthill and left.
The Gold Coin
The next day, Haridatta returned to his land before dawn and found a gold coin in the bowl he had left at the anthill. From that day on, he came every morning, collected the coin, offered milk in the bowl, and left.
The Son’s Greed
One day, Haridatta had to leave for another village on business. He asked his son to go to the anthill and offer milk in his place. The next morning, the son found a gold coin in the bowl. Thinking, “This anthill must be full of gold. If I kill the cobra, I can collect all the gold at once instead of coming here every day,” he struck the cobra with a big stick.
The cobra deftly dodged the blow and stung the son to death with its poisonous fangs. When Haridatta returned the next day and heard about his son’s death, he realized that greed was behind it.
The Cobra’s Farewell
The day after his son’s cremation, Haridatta went to the anthill and offered milk to the cobra. Without emerging from its hole, the cobra spoke to Haridatta, “You have come here for gold, forgetting that you had lost a son and that you were in mourning. The reason is greed, pure greed. From today, there is no meaning in our relationship. Blinded by his youth, your son struck me, and I bit him back. How can I forget that blow? How can you suffer the grief of your son’s death? Finally, I am giving you this diamond; don’t come back again.”
Moral of the Story
Excess of greed is harmful.
Reflection on the Story
The Dangers of Greed:
- The story vividly illustrates the dangers of greed. Haridatta’s son, driven by greed, attempted to kill the cobra for immediate wealth, leading to his untimely death.
Value of Gratitude:
- Haridatta’s initial approach, offering milk in gratitude, brought him a steady reward. This highlights the importance of showing gratitude and respect.
Consequences of Actions:
- The cobra’s response to the son’s attack demonstrates the concept of cause and effect. Harmful actions lead to harmful consequences.
Acceptance and Letting Go:
- Haridatta’s acceptance of the cobra’s final gift and the termination of their relationship underscores the importance of letting go and moving on, even from beneficial situations, when they turn harmful.
Lessons to Be Learned
- The Harm of Excessive Greed:
- Greed can lead to destructive actions and dire consequences, as seen in the tragic end of Haridatta’s son.
- Importance of Gratitude:
- Showing gratitude and respect can bring steady and lasting rewards, while greed and disrespect lead to loss.
- Consequences of Our Actions:
- Actions have consequences. Harmful actions can lead to harm, while respectful actions can bring benefits.
- Knowing When to Let Go:
- It is important to recognize when to let go and move on from relationships or situations that have become harmful, even if they were once beneficial.
Conclusion
The story of Haridatta and the cobra teaches us about the destructive power of greed and the importance of gratitude and respect. It reminds us that our actions have consequences and that we must be mindful of our intentions and behaviors. By understanding these lessons, we can avoid the pitfalls of greed and cultivate a life of gratitude, respect, and wisdo
