Once there lived a small tribe of people in the mountains of
Teheri Gharwal. They were devotees of
Lord Shiva and lead a very simple life. Children played without fear.
The men
of the villagers would gather together to smoke hukka after lunch.
Walking along the footpath through the forest was no
challenge to them at day time. But after sunset one would not dare step out of
their houses for the fear of becoming a prey to tigers or wild foxes.
They would run away for their lives by the sight of a snake.
Poor Nag did not like it a bit. He often marvelled why humans behaved this way.
He felt lonely and ostracised from society which was the part of his habitat.
They asked children
to stay away from Nag’s deceptive looks.
In the forest of this
village, there lived a snake called 'Nag'. It lived in a hole of a birch tree.
He was a quiet and calm snake. He didn't harm or bother anyone.
However, people were
scared by the very name ‘Snake'. And Nag being a 'Cobra', made him even more
dangerous. People in India worship 'Nag' for a simple reason that it symbolises
'Lord Shiva'. They offer milk if they see one to calm it. But no one ever dare go near any snake to avoid
becoming victim of its wrath.
Nag always wondered why people were frightened of him! He
has done no harm to anyone. In fact, he loved watching kids playing, laughing
and chatting, helping each other or at times even wrestling in mud! He wanted
to be a part of this small village.
He prayed to God Vishnu. Vishnu answered his prayer. Nag
begged Vishnu to bless him so that people don't get scared and run away from
him but accept and respect him of what it is. God Vishnu was pleased with him
and said," Tathastu." Meaning "I grant you the wish."
The snake was quite happy and he thought perhaps he would be
able to slither around freely and watch children without frightening them.
The children were not sure in the beginning when they saw
the snake watching them quietly. Children threw stones at him to scare it away.
The snake just lay there ignoring them. He wanted them to know that he is not
there to scare them but to play with them.
Children told their parents at home how they scared the
snake away. Their hearts stopped beating for a second with mention of sighting
a ‘Nag’. They didn’t believe their ears. But when all the children narrated the
same story parents were not pleased. They were surprised at snake’s behaviour.
How a snake can behave contrary to its normal being and avoid what it always
does. Villagers were not sure of cobra's unusual conduct.
Next day again Nag
hid behind the tree and watched children playing and giggling. But as soon as
the children saw Nag, they all picked up the stones. Foisted by previous days
act they started pelting at him. Nag was wounded and hurt. He was bleeding but
the children took no pity on him. They were actually winning over the deadly
snake! The snake thought for a while and hid himself from cruel children. Now
he was afraid of humans!
Nag was disappointed and hurt by human’s attitude. He went
back to its hole to hide away from children's torture.
The next day, snake went back to Lord Vishnu and narrated
its encounter with young human race. Lord Vishnu smiled and said, “Dear Nag, I
granted you the wish but I never stopped you from 'hissing'. When time
demands, use your natural gift. Open your hood and hiss". Snake thought
for a while and took the advice. The result was incredible! As soon as the kids
picked up the stone, he opened his hood and hissed. The children were startled and stood quiet
in a semicircle when they saw the naag upright and taller than them. They looked scared. Nag didn't want them to be
afraid of him. He composed himself. Didn't strike, stopped hissing. Very gracefully,
he made his way to the temple nearby and curled himself around the 'Shiva
ling'.
Before the sunset, people of the village brought milk and
other religious offerings to Shiv temple as usual. As soon as they saw the snake
around Shiva ling, they left all the offerings and alms at the foot of the
Shiva ling and crawled away and knelled at the door of the temple. Nag was hungry and swallowed the fruits in
the offering and slurped all the milk. He felt contented and happy. Without
making a sound, Nag elegantly glided to the forest and into the hole of the
birch tree.
Stunned villagers joined their hands and thanked Lord
Shiva.
Ever since then we do hear snakes hissing but seldom using
their fangs unless disturbed or provoked.
Moral of the story: Use your skills wisely.
