Once upon a time, there was a snake who, by the grace and instruction of the great devotee Narada Muni, became a devotee of the Lord. Narada Muni instructed the snake to give up his habit of biting and harming others. Following his spiritual master’s instructions, the snake stopped biting anyone.
Unfortunately, people began to take advantage of the snake’s newfound nonviolence, especially the children, who started throwing stones at him and teasing him relentlessly. Despite the mistreatment, the snake did not bite anyone, staying true to Narada Muni’s instruction.
When the snake next met his spiritual master, Narada Muni, he complained, “I have given up the bad habit of biting innocent living entities, as you instructed, but now people are mistreating me, especially the children, who throw stones at me.”
Narada Muni listened to the snake’s complaint and then instructed him, “Don’t bite, but do not forget to expand your hood as if you were going to bite. This way, you can scare them away without actually harming anyone.”
Moral of the story:
“Sometimes people say that if we are too soft (tolerant), people will take advantage of us and misuse our goodness.”
This story teaches us how to deal with demoniac and mischievous people without losing our good qualities or resorting to violence. A devotee is naturally nonviolent and possesses all good qualities. However, in the practical world, when faced with mischief or danger, a devotee should not hesitate to show anger or firmness to drive away miscreants and protect oneself.
The lesson to remember is to control anger and not let anger control us.
In the Srimad Bhagavatam, we find the example of Dhruva Maharaja. Once, Dhruva Maharaja became very angry with the Yakshas who killed his brother Uttama. In his anger, he almost annihilated the entire Yaksha community, but Svayambhuva Manu stopped him and gave him instructive and practical advice, including how to control anger.
In Srimad Bhagavatam (4.11.31), Svayambhuva Manu says:
samyaccha rosham bhadram te / prateepam shreyasaam param shrutena bhuyasaa raajann / agadena yathaamayam
“My dear King, just consider what I have said to you, which will act as medicinal treatment upon disease. Control your anger, for anger is the foremost enemy on the path of spiritual realization. I wish all good fortune for you. Please follow my instructions.”
Though Dhruva Maharaja was a liberated soul and not inherently angry with anyone, as a ruler, it was his duty to maintain law and order. Thus, he exhibited anger temporarily for the sake of justice.
The words “shrutena bhuyasaa” (by constantly hearing) are crucial. By constantly hearing about devotional service, one can control the force of anger, which hinders spiritual progress. Constantly hearing about the Supreme Personality of Godhead helps one remain balanced and not let emotions like anger derail their spiritual journey.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
PS: I humbly request all the devotees to please forward and share these moral and instructive stories they hear so that everyone can benefit from hearing about Krishna and his dear devotees
