XXXVIII. Right Attitude Towards Insects and Reptiles Conflicting Advice

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XXXVIII. RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS INSECTS AND REPTILES

CONFLICTING ADVICE

 

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 Duty'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 worshippad—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. Srlmad Bhagavad Skanda VII 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 succeed 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.

 

(This is from the book"The Wonderous Saint Sai Baba" written by Pujyasri

V.Narasimaswami,founder President of All India Sai Samaj,

Chennai...........This book can be read from www.saileelas.org)