Light of Nonviolence

Author(s): Sushilmuni
Publisher: Vishwa Ahimsa Sangh Delhi

Page 68

him that I was his friend, that I loved him and worshipped him and that there was no difference between us. For cobras have almost total control over their pranic bodies, and they can move their energy and their breath, with great concentration, and hold themselves in one position for long periods of time, their willpower is so great. Since the cobra did not see any fear or violence or hate in my eyes, he finally stopped his hissing and movements to kill me.
Slowly, the snake started to fall from his height and he coiled his long black body on the path and just continued to watch me in my eyes, to see if there was any change in my expression; for if I had shown fear or negativity towards him, he would have poisoned me in an instant. But since I showed no negative or violent emotion, the cobra snake left the path and I passed safely onto the ashram.
Since then, I have realized what a big experience this had been for me. There had never been any question about the capacity of the cobra to kill me. But since I did not show any violence or hate towards him, his poison could not threaten me.
If I had shown the slightest weakness to him, I would not be here to tell this story. But I have learned that through fearlessness and good feelings, you can change someone who could harm you and protect yourself from their violence. For love is all-powerful and there is no higher energy in the world and it can protect you even from the deadly bite of the cobra snake.
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