32 - The Greatest (Best) Mantra

It so happened one day. Bhaishri was passing by remembering God. He was not aware of the surroundings. Suddenly a poisonous snake came out of the shrubs.

He bit (cut) Bhaishri and retreated back to the Shrubs. Bhaishri went to the orchard chanting Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan and sat down. A Haribhakta noticed this. He went to other workers in the orchard and informed them, ‘Bhai has been bitten by a snake. It was a big, dark snake.’

All went running to Bhaishri. Bhaishri was meditating. One of them suggested, ‘Let us call Vaidya!’ The other said, ‘No, no let us call a snake charmer. He would remove the poison.’ Everyone had different suggestions.

Bhaishri through his power, stored the poison in one part of his body. He did not allow it to spread. The news spread into the village. There lived a snake charmer in the village.

He offered, ‘Take me there. I would know if the snake was poisonous.’ Snake charmer arrived. He recited a few mantras. He found out that the snake was poisonous.

The snake charmer was surprised. He said, ‘He has been bitten by a poisonous snake, but he has not allowed the poison to spread.’ All were surprised. Snake charmer inquired Bhaishri, ‘Do you have any medicinal herbs?’

Bhaishri asked, ‘For what purpose?’ Snake charmer revealed, ‘You have stored poison in one part of the body. I have come to know through mantras.’ Bhaishri informed, ‘I do not have any herbs.’

Snake charmer inquired further, ‘Then you must be knowing some Mantra. Would you teach me that Mantra?’ Bhaishri replied, ‘Yes, I have a Mantra. I will definitely teach this Mantra to you.’ Snake charmer was delighted, ‘Please, teach me now. I will be obliged.’

Bhaishri disclosed the secret, ‘The Mantra is Shri Swaminarayan.’ Snake charmer argued, ‘But this is not a Mantra. This is the name of your God.’ Bhaishri confessed, ‘I have only this Mantra.’

Snake charmer was suspicious, ‘You are saying this, because you don’t want to teach me the Mantra.’ said he. Bhaishri assured, ‘I have this Mantra only.’ Snake charmer thought, ‘He will not reveal the Mantra easily. Let me spread the poison in his body through the power of Mantras. Then let us see how he could remove it.’

Snake charmer began to chant the Mantra. Bhaishri went into meditation Snake charmer observed closely, ‘Bhaishri woke up chanting Jai Swaminarayan.’ Snake charmer was astonished. He fell down at the feet of Bhaishri.

He apologized, ‘You are a great person.’ So far it has never happened that anyone could remove the poison spread by me. You did not allow the poison to spread. Please, forgive me.’ Bhaishri replied, ‘It is all right.’

Snake charmer bowed down to Bhaishri and left.

Difficult words:
Retreat - To withdraw or retire

Points to ponder:
- Wild animals and insects are not capable enough to harm a great Anadimukta.
- Bhaishri did not allow the poison of poisonous snake to spread in his body through his prowess.
- An Anadimukta like Bhaishri can save thousands of people from the effects of poison. How could poison harm him?

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. What had bitten Bhaishri?
2. Which Mantra did Bhaishri teach to the snake charmer?
3. What did the snake charmer do to find out the Mantra?
4. Why did the snake charmer fall down at the feet of Bhaishri?

Fill in the blanks:
1. Suddenly a _______________ appeared. He _____________ Bhaishri and disappeared.
2. Bhaishri accumulated the _______in one part of his body through his __________.
3. Do you have any __________.
4. The Mantra is ____________.
5. You are a __________.