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THE CONVERSION OF THE SNAKE
Snakes are objects of fear the world over. Few people, however, consider that snakes have their own karmic debt to pay. But in this story, Guruji relates how Lord Mahavira-the 24th totally enlightened Being of Jainism-caused a radical change in the karma of a chandra vooshik snake, the biggest and most poisonous snake in India.
ne time before Lord Mahavira was totally enlight U ened, he was practicing near Bengal, India. Thousands of people and animals came to hear him speak and to be with him. At the same time, a chandra snake was in the area and he was very proud and he felt very powerful. He sensed that Lord Mahavira was nearby, and when he saw how every person and animal went to see Lord Mahavira, he became very angry. In fact, his anger rose to such a pitch that the heat from his breathing burned the jungle trees around him; and, of course, no one would go near the snake.
Hearing about the angry snake, Lord Mahavira became fascinated. “How is it possible that a snake could become so angry and that no one would go near him? Is fear really so powerful and nonviolence so weak?” These thoughts and others came to Lord Mahavira and he went
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