Adapted from the Gospel of Ramakrishna
A particularly wicked snake infested a road and used to bite whoever passed by.
One day a holy man was passing by and noticed the snake rushing towards him to bite. He remained calm and looked at the snake and smiled.
Then the holy man said:
“Follow the path of non-violence. It will take you towards liberation and peace.”
The snake replied:
“I feel a difference within me after seeing your calmness. I too want to become non-violent.”
So the holy man said:
“Then how about promising me that you won’t bite anyone from now on?”
The snake nodded and agreed.
Then the holy man went his way and the snake began its life of innocence and non-violence.
Soon the boys of the neighbourhood started teasing it mercilessly by throwing stones and dragging it around by its tail. But the snake kept his promise to the old man and suffered.
Fortunately, the holy man again came that way and saw the snake in its bruised and battered condition.
When he asked what had happened, the snake said feebly:
“O swami, you said I should not bite anyone. But people are so merciless.”
The holy man said:
“I asked you not to bite anyone. But I didn’t ask you not to raise your hood and hiss at your attackers.”
This is a parable from the records of Sri Ramakrishna’s oral teachings, The Gospel of Ramakrishna.
The practical wisdom found in the tales narrated by Sri Ramakrishna is remarkably relevant for all times. The fact that non-violence is not about becoming weak or forgetting to defend oneself when in danger – is succinctly expressed through this tale.