Vedantic Tales: The Discipleship of
Sri Nag , The Cobra

'What is it you think you are doing, Sri Nag?' he said with a tone of authority such as the cobra had never before heard, let alone been addressed by.

'You are invading my territory,' Sri Nag replied and surprised himself by the mild, almost petulant, and unhissing quality of his own voice. 'And how, may I ask,' he said, recovering his dignity, 'do you happen to know my name?'

'Who does not know it?' the sadhu replied. 'I have been given to understand that you are the terror of the village.' Sri Nag swayed his fore body a little. 'I was warned not to come this way.'

'Therefore you came?'

'Precisely, my good Nagji; therefore I came. Let me repeat: just what is it you think you are doing?'

Sri Nag felt his hood slightly relax. A warm, unaccustomed feeling of friendliness swept through him. Once again he flicked his tongue yes, a delicious, soothing fragrance.

'I am simply defending my territory, my home, and my family,' he replied, 'as my ancestors have done before me since the beginning of time.'

'By harming the villagers?' the sadhu asked. 'By killing them?'

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