Vedantic Tales: The Discipleship of
Sri Nag , The Cobra

'Now, now,' the sadhu said consolingly. 'You haven't failed. If anyone failed, it was I; I did not make myself clear. But no harm has come of it. Drastic measures are sometimes necessary, particularly when contrary tendencies are so deeply imbedded as were yours. The Guru who speaks through me does not make mistakes; nor, in the long run, does an earnest disciple make mistakes.' He smiled luminously at Sri Nag. 'This has been a year of great tapasya for you, my dear son. You have done very well; just ask yourself if a year ago you would have understood what I have been saying today. But come now, you and your family must have nourishment. The field seems to be teeming with mice.'

'Mostly trash,' Akhu said scornfully, 'littering up the grass, if you will excuse the pun.' He and his colleagues laughed loudly.

Sri Nag shot them a sharp glance and said, 'Shhhh!' He surprised himself and the mice as well, at the command in his voice. It was the first threatening sound he had made in a year, but it was not accompanied by the old irresistible urge to strike. 'Be quiet,' he said more gently.

The sadhu had paid no attention to this exchange. Looking out over the field, which indeed seemed to be alive with the movement of small furry bodies, he said reflectively, 'You and your wife have strength enough left to catch a few, haven't you? Start on!'

[ Back ] [ Vedantic Tales ] [ Up ] [ Next ]