WONDEROUS SAINT SRI SAIBABA-PART 38

BY PUJYA SRI NARASIMHASWAMY JI


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 vouched safe protection.

At Shirdi, one day, Nana Saheb Dengle 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:
Tukaram, a great authority in the Maharashtra has said that snakes and scorpions are God (Narayana) and that they should be worshipped 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. Srimad 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 scout free, treating them as Baba in reptile form.