The document summarizes a story about four Brahmin boys who go seeking wealth in the Himalayas. An old sage gives each boy a ghee wick and tells them that wherever the wick drops, they will find a valuable metal if they dig there. Two boys find copper and silver respectively when their wicks drop. The third finds gold. However, the fourth boy insists on continuing even after finding gold, as his wick has not dropped yet. He ends up at the top of the mountains, where Kuvera keeps his treasure, and a grinding wheel appears on his head, inflicting great pain as punishment for his greed.

1. GURU 1 - Python
THE LESSON LEARNT BY THE AVADHUTA BRAHMANA
The instruction the Avadhüta brähmaëa received from the python is that
an intelligent person should cultivate a mentality of detachment and
should maintain his body by accepting whatever comes of its own accord
or is easily obtained. In this way, he should remain always engaged in
the worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Even if no food is available,
the person who wants to engage fully in the Lord’s worship should
not beg; rather, he should understand this to be the arrangement
of providence, thinking, “Whatever enjoyment is destined for me
will automatically come, and thus I should not uselessly waste
the remaining duration of my life in worrying about such things.”
If he does not get any food, he should simply remain lying down
like the python and patiently fix his mind in meditation upon the Supreme Lord.
The theme – Better to be a king by reducing your wants and better to be a beggar…
Maintain body by what comes of its own accord and not be greedy.
SLOKA RECITATION
Let us learn a sloka from the Sri Isopanishad which teaches us something
about the above theme.
Before teaching the present verse, the teacher should begin the class by
chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together.
Chant the first verse of the 24 Gurus again. Tell the children we will learn
the first verse and also understand it.
Learn the first verse. (The teacher recites the sloka line by line and makes the
children repeat and memorize the sloka)
éçäväsyam idam sarvaà
yat kiïca jagatyäà jagat
tena tyaktena bhuïjéthä
mä gådhaù kasya svid dhanam
Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned
by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself,
which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing
well to whom they belong. (Isopanishad 1)
1
GURU 1 - Python
1/2 60 mins 120 mins
the person who wants to engage fully in the Lord’s worship should
not beg; rather, he should understand this to be the arrangement
of providence, thinking, “Whatever enjoyment is destined for me
Let us learn a sloka from the
Before teaching the present verse, the teacher should begin the class by
chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together.
Chant the first verse of the 24 Gurus again. Tell the children we will learn
Learn the first verse. (The teacher recites the sloka line by line and makes the

2. GURU 1 - Python
LESSONS FROM GURU – (RED HELL)
The teacher can explain to the children, the lessons which this Python guru teaches
us. The abbreviation “RED HELL” makes it convenient for us to remember what the
guru wants to teach us.
The teacher can write down on the board the below abbreviation and ask
the children to note it down and learn it.
In this session, after explaining the meaning of RED HELL, the teacher will be able
to narrate a maximum of four stories. The remaining stories can be continued in the
next class.
Ruins Unity - Greed can destroy your unity
Encourages - Greed can encourage you to have more than what you need
Difficulty - Greed puts you in great difficulty
Hypocrite - Greed makes you a hypocrite
Encourages to harm others - Greed makes you harm others
Lose what you have - Greed makes you lose what you have already
Limits your habit - Greed limits your habit and becomes your nature
STORIES
STORY 1 - THE THREE BROTHERS
{GREED CAN DESTROY YOUR UNITY}
2
The wife of the headman of a village
died soon after giving birth to a baby
boy. The headman was inconsolable but
was persuaded by his family and friends
to marry again so that the child
would have someone to look after
him.
Fortunately, his second wife
turned out to be a large-hearted and
sensible woman who gave the child all
the love and care he would have received
from his own mother. In the course of
the years she presented the headman
with two more sons, but her affection
for the oldest never diminished. She
treated all three boys alike and the two
younger ones never realized they had a
stepbrother.
When the headman passed away,
the widow entrusted the responsibilities
of the household and the fields to
theeldestsonandhemanagedthem
so well that the family prospered. This
made the neighbours envious.
One day, one of them told the
widow’s sons the truth about
their eldest brother and advised them
to drive him away from the house lest
so well that the family prospered. This
made the neighbours envious.
One day, one of them told the
widow’s sons the truth about

3. GURU 1 - Python
3
he should deprive them of their share of
their father’s property.
The boys were shocked at the
revelation, and, frightened by
the prospect of losing their share of the
property, decided to murder him. When
they told their mother about what they
planned to do, she said to them, “Don’t
bloody your hands, I will get rid of him
for you.”
That night when everybody was
asleep, she suddenly jumped out of bed
and started shouting: “Snake! Snake!”
“Where? Where did you see it,
mother?” asked the eldest son, getting
up from his mat.
“Alas!” said the widow.
“I saw it disappearing into
your stomach.”
The young man turned pale.
From that day on, he lost all appetite for
food and would lie on his mat the whole
day long. Soon he became so weak that
he could not even sit up on his mat.
The neighbours
rejoiced and took
advantage of the
situation. They built a
wall across the widow’s
courtyard and claimed a part of the
house as their own. In the fields they
shifted their boundaries to enclose large
portions of the widow’s lands.
The younger sons could not deal with the
situation and one day they said
to their mother: “If our
elder brother was not
bed-ridden, such terrible things
would not have happened to us.”
The widow kept quiet, but in
the dead of the night she again started
shouting: “Snake! Snake!”
Everyone woke up.
“Where...where did you see it
mother?” asked the eldest son, weakly.
“Son, I saw it coming out of
your stomach,” replied the
woman. “It disappeared into
the darkness.”
From that day on the condition of
the eldest son started improving. Soon
he was able to walk into the courtyard
where he saw the new wall. “Who has
built this!” he thundered. The neighbours
came running and meekly pulled down
the wall.
The following week he went to
the family fields and seeing the new
boundaries shouted, “Who has done
this!”
The neighbours trembled in fear
and quickly vacated the land they had
grabbed.
The widow and her three
sons lived in peace and
harmony ever after.
their father’s property.
bloody your hands, I will get rid of him
up from his mat.
situation and one day they said
mother?” asked the eldest son, weakly.
“Son, I saw it coming out of

4. GURU 1 - Python
STORY 2 - THE YOGI’S CLOTH
{GREED CAN ENCOURAGE YOU TO HAVE MORE THAN WHAT YOU NEED}
4
A young yogi lived by
the side of the river. His life
was simple and carefree; he
practiced yoga almost all
day long. Because he had
no other responsibilities he
had plenty of time to sit peacefully with
eyes closed, his thoughts engrossed on
the lord within the heart. This was his
daily meditation.
One day after
bathing in the river, he
washed his only piece of
cloth and lay it out on the rocky bank.
While waiting for it to dry, a thought
crossed his mind. “I am wasting time
waiting for this, if I had another piece of
cloth I could get dressed right away.”
Just then an old sadhu i.e. a wise
man passed by. This sadhu was
able to read the thoughts of others.
He stopped and spoke, “My dear son, I
know what is on your mind, but rather
than collecting more and more objects
it is better to be satisfied with whatever
you have.”
Nevertheless the
young yogi went to the
market the very next day and
purchased a piece of cloth. The next
day he bathed as usual, washed his cloth
and put it to dry on the rock. He then
put on his new piece of cloth and went
to perform his meditation. Later in the
day, when he came back, he discovered
that a hungry mouse had nibbled holes
in his old cloth. At first he was dismayed
but then he thought, ‘Maybe I should
have a cat to chase away the mouse.’
He went to the market
once again and bought a cat. He
spent the next day very happily
and peacefully meditating. But,
as evening approached, the cat
began to miaow, disturbing the
yogi, who now thought, ‘Oh, he needs
milk.’ He purchased a cow from the
market. The next
day was peaceful
until the evening
when the cow
began to moo. ‘I am
not going to milk the cow everyday; it
takes too much time’ thought the yogi.
So he went to the village and asked
a young woman to be his wife.
She could get milk from the
cow to give it to the cat,
whowouldkeepthemouse
away from the yogi’s cloth.
And so the yogi was happy
for a little while. One day his
wife complained, “I am sick
of you just meditating all
day, I want a a home.”
So the yogi built a house. But
then his wife was lonely
and wanted children.
As time passed by the
yogi meditated less
and less and worried
more and more. He
was constantly busy
looking after his house, his growing
family and the animals. Sometimes, when
he had a quiet moment, he would reflect
on those carefree times when all he had
was a single cloth.
cloth I could get dressed right away.”
then his wife was lonely
and wanted children.
a young woman to be his wife.
And so the yogi was happy
for a little while. One day his
wife complained, “I am sick
young yogi went to the
market the very next day and
purchased a piece of cloth. The next

5. ``
GURU 1 - Python
STORY 3 - THE FOUR BRAHMIN BOYS
{GREED PUTS YOU IN GREAT DIFFICULTY}
5
One day he was thinking like this
when the old sadhu again passed by.
The sadhu smiled and remarked, “I can
see you are in a pensive mood, so I will
tell you again that its better to be happy
and satisfied with what you have and
not unnecessarily be greedy for more
comforts or luxury, because when it
comes to wanting things there is no end
to it.”
There’s a story of four
brahmin boys who were
looking for wealth,
so they went up into the Himalayas.
Brahmin means devotee, but they were
interested in getting wealth. They were
thinking, “I’ve just come out
of gurukula training, now
we have to get some
wealth, and then we can
get married and have a happy life.” So
they went to one sage who was living
near the Himalayan mountains, and they
asked him, “My dear sage, we have
heard that you are all-knowing, so
please tell us where we can find
wealth.” The sage said, “All right.
So now I will put in each of your hands
one ghee wick, a cotton ghee wick.
You just hold that in your
hand, and you walk up into the
Himalayan mountains. Wherever
this wick drops during the course of
walking up the mountain, at that spot if
you dig you will find something valuable.
You will find a precious metal up to the
value of gold.” So they were
very happy, and they went up
into the mountains holding
their wicks. One of the wicks dropped,
so the boy dug there and he found
copper. “Oh, copper. Very
nice.” The other boys said,
“Why just copper?” “No
no,” the boy said, “I am satisfied.” The
sage said, “Wherever the wick drops, so
this is my quota. God has given copper.”
So he took that and went down. The
other boys continued, and another wick
dropped. When they
dug they found silver.
“Ah, silver, very nice.
Even more valuable.”The boy whose
wick had dropped was very satisfied, but
the other two said, “Well silver’s alright,
but the sage said up to gold.” “Anyway,”
the boy said, “I’ve found silver by God’s
grace, so I’m taking that.” So the other
two continued, and one of their wicks
dropped. He dug, and he found gold.
“All right,” one said, “here it
is, the gold. Enough for both
of us.” The last one said,
“Yes, but I still have my wick. It hasn’t
dropped yet.” The other one replied,
“Yes, but the sage said nothing more
valuable than gold.” “Well anyway,∫ the
last boy said, “I still have my wick, so I
am going to find my treasure.” “Well you
do as you like,” the boy who found the
asked him, “My dear sage, we have
heard that you are all-knowing, so
thinking, “I’ve just come out
of gurukula training, now
one ghee wick, a cotton ghee wick.
hand, and you walk up into the
Himalayan mountains. Wherever
You will find a precious metal up to the
value of gold.” So they were
no,” the boy said, “I am satisfied.” The
Even more valuable.”The boy whose

6. GURU 1 - Python
MORAL: This is an illustration how this lusty desire for sense gratification can get
one in great difficulty. This brahmin broke the law and took more than his quota,
so therefore he got into trouble.
6
gold said, “but I am taking this gold.”
So then the last boy went high into the
Himalayas, up to the very top, and still
his wick didn’t drop. Then he saw one
man in the distance. So
he was calling to him,
“My dear sir, do you
know of any valuable
treasure up here? I am
looking for wealth.” As soon as he said
that, his wick dropped. So he thought,
“There must be something very valuable
here.” Meanwhile the boy had come a
little closer to the man, and he noticed
that the man was standing
in a strange way, he was not
moving, and there was a wheel
turning on his head. The middle of the
wheel, the hub was grinding into his
head and causing blood to flow, and this
man was obviously in great pain. When
this boy’s wick dropped then that wheel
was suddenly moving from the other
man’s head onto his head, and the wheel
was turning and he was feeling
great pain. He also could not
move any more, the wheel was
somehow keeping him in place.
The other man could move again and he
was saying, “Oh, I’m free! Thank God!”
The brahmin said, “Please tell me what
is going on here! Why am I suddenly
stuck to this spot? I cannot move and
this wheel is on my head and it is feeling
very painful. What is happening?”
The other man replied, “You
have come to the place where
Kuvera keeps his treasure. He’s
the treasurer of the demigods,
and all his wealth, all the wealth of the
demigods is buried here and you have
come across it.” “Well, what is this
wheel?” the boy asked. “This wheel is
a weapon of Kuvera which protects his
treasure.” “Oh,”theboysaid. “Sotellme,
what is going to happen to me?” “What
is going to happen to you,” the man said,
“Is the same thing that happened to me.
I also came up here looking for treasure.
I came up with some friends and met an
old sage, and he gave us ghee wicks. My
friends got copper, silver and gold, but
I wanted to go higher. I came up here,
and the wheel came onto my head.”
“So what can I expect?” the boy asked.
“Well, this wheel will stay on your head
and keep you fixed to this place. You
will not grow thirsty or hungry, you will
just stay and not be able to move until
somebody else comes up here looking
for treasure. Then you will be released,
and he will get the wheel on his head.”
“Howlongwereyouhere?”the
boy questioned. “Who is the
king of India now?” The boy
gave the name of some king,
and the man replied, “Well
when I came up here, Lord
Ramachandra was king.” “Oh
no!” the boy said. “That was
two million years ago!” And then the
man was going to leave. “No you can’t
leave!” the boy said. “Yes, I can leave,
I’m getting out of here. I’ve suffered so
much.” This greedy brahmin was left
up there, and probably he’s still up there
now. So don’t go up into the Himalayas
looking for treasure.
his wick didn’t drop. Then he saw one
looking for wealth.” As soon as he said
in a strange way, he was not
turning on his head. The middle of the

7. GURU 1 - Python
STORY 4 - A BRAHMANA WHO WAS GREEDY AND WOULD GNJOY
HIMSELF, BUT SHOWED THE WORLD THAT HE WAS A BIG RENUNCIATE
{GREED MAKES YOU A HYPOCRITE }
7
Once there was a brahmana who
pretended in front of everyone that he
was very renounced and never enjoyed
anything for himself and that he gave
everything he had to the Lord.
One day his wife asked him to
get popcorn to eat in the
night.
So the brahmana
hid the popcorn in
his shawl and got it.
While on the way,
there was a great wind
and all the popcorn
was blown into the air. Immediately, he
realised that he had lost everything
and he wanted to convert this also into
an opportunity to show his greatness
and devotion. He immediately started
chanting “Om Govindaya
Namah, Om Keshavaya
Namah, Om Narayanaya
Namah.” Everyone saw
him and began to appreciate
his devotion. Suddenly his
son appeared in the scene and
asked him, “Father, where is the popcorn
which we were going to enjoy eating.”
Then everyone realised that this
brahmana was just a greedy fellow.
everything he had to the Lord.
One day his wife asked him to
get popcorn to eat in the
chanting “Om Govindaya
son appeared in the scene and
asked him, “Father, where is the popcorn
which we were going to enjoy eating.”

8. GURU 1 - Python
The teacher should begin the second session of this Python Guru with the recitation
of slokas first.
SLOKA RECITATION
The teacher should begin the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus
with the children all together.
Chant the first verse of the 24 Gurus again.
éçäväsyam idam sarvaà
yat kiïca jagatyäà jagat
tena tyaktena bhuïjéthä
mä gådhaù kasya svid dhanam
Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned
by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself,
which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing
well to whom they belong. (Isopanishad 1)
Lessons from Guru – (RED HELL)
The teacher can revise the previous four lessons which was learnt in the last session.
In this session the teacher can complete the remaining three lessons and complete
the theme RED HELL.
STORY 5 -THE STORK AND THE CRAB
{GREED ENCOURAGES YOU TO HARM OTHERS}
8
2/2 60 mins 120 mins
Hearing this the fish and
crabs became very scared and
begged the stork to think of a
solution. The stork pretended
to think for a while and said, “There’s
this very deep pond a few miles away.
It never dries up even in the hottest of
summers. All of you can go there and live
happily, if you want to”.
The fish and crabs liked the idea very much but
they did not know how to get there.
“But how will we reach there?” they cried. The
stork replied “Even though it will be very difficult
for me I can take you there one by one. So the
next day the stork started carrying the fish, but
Once upon a time there was stork
that lived by the side of a pond. The
pond had plenty of fish. The stork used
to eat these fish and lived happily. But
as years passed by, he became old and could no
longer catch fish. He thought of a plan.
One day he stood by the pond looking
very sad. He did not even try to catch any fish.
He just stood there looking very sad and even
shed a few tears. The fish and crabs living in the
pond became very curious. One crab, the bravest
of them all went to the stork and asked, “What’s
wrong? Why are you looking so sad?” The stork
sighed “This pond is going to dry up soon and
then you’re all going to die, you know”.
The teacher should begin the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus
Chant the first verse of the 24 Gurus again.

9. GURU 1 - Python
9
instead of going to the new pond the stork would
carry the fish to a rock and eat it.
This went on for a few days
and then it was the turn of the brave crab. He
sat on the stork’s back for the journey. But
as they reached the rock, the crab to his horror
saw a huge pile of fish bones. He understood
what had happened to his unfortunate friends.
He quickly dug his claws into the stork’s neck
and squeezed it till the stork choked and fell on
the ground. The crab then quickly scrambled
back to the pond and told his friends the whole
story.
The brave crab became the hero of the pond.
instead of going to the new pond the stork would
and then it was the turn of the brave crab. He
sat on the stork’s back for the journey. But
There was a potter who had 2 pots and started dreaming of becoming a millionaire by
selling these pots and making a business of it. But in his dream he actually thought
big and finally ended up breaking both the pots that existed.
Thus he lost everything just because of his greed.
STORY 6 -THE POTTER’S DREAM
{GREED MAKES YOU LOSE WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY}
STORY 7
{GREED LIMITS YOUR HABIT AND BECOMES YOUR NATURE}
appeared before him. “Behold!”
said the deity, “I have given you
another can of milk. You now have
double the quantity of milk you got
from your cows, this morning.”
Madho thanked the god profusely and picking
up the can, started walking. He took a few steps
and stopped. “Yes?” asked the god. “Is there
anything more you want?” “I was wondering,”
said Madho, “If you could...” “Yes! You want
another can of milk?” asked the god, kindly.
“No...No!” protested Madho. “I’m not that
greedy... just give me another can of water.
We’ve all heard of milkmen adding
water to milk. Madho was one such
man. His customers knew but were
helpless. There was no other milkman
in the locality. One day as Madho was about to
start on his rounds in the morning, there was
a flash of light and a godly being stood before
him. Madho cowered in fright. “Why do you add
water to milk, Madho?” asked the god. “I...I...”
stammered Madho. “Speak up!” said the god.
“I-I do it to increase the quantity of milk so that
I can make more money, Lord,” said Madho
honestly. The god waved his hand and a can of
milk identical to the one Madho was carrying
in the locality. One day as Madho was about to

10. GURU 1 - Python
Show the video of ‘bad egg’.
HOW IS IT RELEVANT IN MY LIFE?
A rich person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least. In
the Isopanishad which is one of the 108 upanishads, it is said:
éçäväsyam idam sarvaà
yat kiïca jagatyäà jagat
tena tyaktena bhuïjéthä
mä gådhaù kasya svid dhanam
Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and
owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for
himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things,
knowing well to whom they belong.
Take, for example, our dwelling, which is made of earth, wood, stone, iron, cement
and so many other material things. If we think in terms of Sri Isopanishad, we must
know that we cannot produce any of these building materials ourselves. We can
simply bring them together and transform them into different shapes by our labor.
A laborer cannot claim to be a proprietor of a thing just because he has worked
hard to manufacture it. Similarly one has to take one’s own allotted quota and be
satisfied, not just being too greedy for accumulating more and more. We already
have seen the plight of the crane and the yogi both of whom were greedy for more
and in the process invited misery in their lives. So ultimately one must be satisfied
with what one has and try and lead a simple life with whatever is available.
Seeing a practical example, if we have a very nice pen and we come to school proudly
to display it. We can imagine that our friends will glorify us and ask for the pen. We
think that this will make us happy. But when we reach school, we see another boy
having a better pen. Our reaction is that immediately we want that pen and the new
pen that we have is no longer giving us satisfaction and happiness.
Why? Because we are not learning to thank God for whatever He has provided as
our quota and we always expect more than that.
Nature Lessons from Python
To understand the behavior of a python we will see some videos.
Show video of python eating egg.
Show photos of python eating Kangaroo
10
Show the video of ‘bad egg’.
Show video of python eating egg.
Show photos of python eating Kangaroo

11. GURU 1 - Python
scriptural STORIES
OF PYTHON
1. Python man – Prahlada Maharaj
Prahlad was very qualified. He was a king. He was managing armies and
he had a very high education. He was administrating all the affairs of the
stateand was very wealthy, very powerful. But here was a man who was
completely naked, no clothes, his body was full of dirt covered with
grass and leaves and he was lying on the ground on his belly. He was
unemployed and just was laying there for years without moving, he
would not even get up to eat. He would open his mouth and if the
wind blew something in his mouth he would eat and if it did not he would not
eat. Of course, in our modern society today, we would not consider this person a
very productive citizen. But when Prahlad saw him, because he had transcendental
vision, he understood that this man is a very deeply realized saint. ‘It takes one to
know one’ you know its not that everyone who does not work and walks around
naked and lays on the ground is a great saint. Most people that do this are actually
quite useless. How do we know it? We don’t know it. Prahlad knew because he had
that wisdom. But Prahlad who was the king of the universe, humbly bowed,
took the dust from the feet of this great personality and began to inquire
submissively as to what is the goal of life. This is the quality of such great
personalities, the more you know about Krishna the more you realize how
much you do not know. The more you love Krishna and the more you realize
how much Krishna loves you the more you understand that in compassion
to the ocean of love that Krishna is giving me I have no love for him.
2. Takshaka
How Taksaka became Indra’s friend? Once the son of a sage of great divine
splendour named Uttafika was studying under a Guru named Veda. When his
education was complete, the Guru asked him to bring as daksina (fees) the earrings
worn by the Ksatriya wife of the king Pausya. Indra made Taksaka steal the
ornament and created many obstacles on the way. (For details see under
Uttanka). That incident made them mutual friends and gradually Taksaka
became an intimate friend of Indra.
From that day onwards Uttafika waited for an opportunity to take vengeance on
Taksaka. It was at that time that Janamejaya, son of Pariksit, became the king.
Janamejaya was only eleven years old when he became king and he was not then
aware of the details of the death of his father. Uttafika went to him and told him
how Taksaka killed his father. Janamejaya became furious and asked him how to
wreak vengeance on him. Uttanhka suggested the performance of a Sarpasastra
grass and leaves and he was lying on the ground on his belly. He was
unemployed and just was laying there for years without moving, he
would not even get up to eat. He would open his mouth and if the
wind blew something in his mouth he would eat and if it did not he would not
eat. Of course, in our modern society today, we would not consider this person a
very productive citizen. But when Prahlad saw him, because he had transcendental
vision, he understood that this man is a very deeply realized saint. ‘It takes one to
know one’ you know its not that everyone who does not work and walks around
naked and lays on the ground is a great saint. Most people that do this are actually
quite useless. How do we know it? We don’t know it. Prahlad knew because he had
that wisdom. But Prahlad who was the king of the universe, humbly bowed,
took the dust from the feet of this great personality and began to inquire
submissively as to what is the goal of life. This is the quality of such great
11
submissively as to what is the goal of life. This is the quality of such great
personalities, the more you know about Krishna the more you realize how
much you do not know. The more you love Krishna and the more you realize
how much Krishna loves you the more you understand that in compassion
Prahlad was very qualified. He was a king. He was managing armies and
he had a very high education. He was administrating all the affairs of the
stateand was very wealthy, very powerful. But here was a man who was
completely naked, no clothes, his body was full of dirt covered with
grass and leaves and he was lying on the ground on his belly. He was
education was complete, the Guru asked him to bring as daksina (fees) the earrings
worn by the Ksatriya wife of the king Pausya. Indra made Taksaka steal the

12. GURU 1 - Python
to which all the serpents should be attracted by mantras and burnt
to death there. The young king agreed and Uttafika with other rsis
commenced the Sarpasatra.
One by one all the serpents came and fell into the sacrificial fire but
Taksaka was not to be found. Where is Taksaka? This question was
heard from many lips. Taksaka was specially invoked by Uttahka. Taksaka could
not bear the power of Uttafika and he ran and prostrated before Indra. Indra not
only did give refuge but gave him half of his seat in the throne and Taksaka sat on
it fully confident of security. Uttanhka was enraged, when after repeated calls by
mantra, Taksaka did not appear and so he sat in meditation for some time to know
the cause. He then saw Taksaka sitting on the throne of Indra and the sight threw
him into fury and he invoked Taksaka, Indra and the throne and all. Lo! In an
instant Indra, Taksaka, the throne arid all started moving towards the sacrificial fire!
Within seconds all would have been burnt to death but for the timely intervention
of a brahmin boy named Astika, son of the sage Jaratkaru.
Taksaka by instructions from Indra was living in the forest of Khandava, and when
that was burnt by Agni, it was Indra who saved Taksaka from the fire. (See under
Khandavadaha).
Takshaka
“Takshaka is a Naga prince too with his once capital city in his own name still there,
Taksha-shila or Takshakavati. His kingdom was annexed by Kuru Princes, and lay
waste as jungle in the Khandavas, as they did not develop it, nor cared for his people.
The Nagas are a proud people, with great culture, with their own music, painting,
sculpture, artifacts, war-machines, war-codes and literature. When so neglected
and overpowered, they withdrew out of the main stream of civilization,
and came to be ‘tribals’, ‘jungle men’, and their standards fell. Added to it,
from Nahusha to Dhritarashtra, all rulers of the kuru race have insulted
their women and forced them to prostitution, producing a large tribe of
men and women bearing allegiance by blood to their progenitors. Takshaka cannot
forget all these, without a proper share in the Kuru empire as rulers, a share in the
civilizational spheres and due recognition in all fields of culture. Even Bhishma
could not respond. So these Nagas wait in lurch for their time. One of Krsna’s
ancestors through Devaki was a Naga; one of Arjuna’s through Kunti was a Naga
and his wife Ulupi is a Naga princess.
3. Nagastra – Karna
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the afternoon time and the
seventeenth day of the war, Arjuna was nearing Karna and was firing
arrows at him which were piercing into his body. At that time Karna
suddenly heard a voice “Use me. I am also marking my time. Arjuna is
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not only your enemy but mine as well.” Another voice was heard from close, Karna
looked around but could not find anyone. He thought it must some fantasy. But no!
Casually as he drew an arrow from his quiver it had a serpent’s face and was slighter
longer and thinner than any other arrows he possessed.
Karna could not remember the circumstances as to how
it came to join his armoury. The missile was powerful
emitting poison and shining with aglow. Yes the voice had indeed come from the
missile. Karna could not belelive at first but again a voice spoke
“Use me” This time Karna replied “speak as to why I must use you and what is your
urgency?”
The missile revealed that its head was of Ashwasena, whose body was reduced to
ashes in the fire of Khandava forest. It was Takshaka, who had grafted the head of
ashwasena on a missile of poison for revenge on Arjuna, who was the cause of the
devastating fire in which Takshaka lost his wife, daughter- in – law, all others taking
refuge in the forest against the enemies. The missile had sought protection in Karna’s
quiver waiting for the right moment for revenge. Karna felt it was a good omen and
without further delay he yoked it to his bow and aimed it at Arjuna’s throat. Shalya
looked back and warned him in loud, firm words. He said the missile is alright but
aim is risky. He told him to aim a little lower at probably Arjuna’s heart
and said that by doing so he was sure to kill his enemy. He explained that
as it was aimed at his throat , there is Sri Krishna on the opposite side, so
he will do something by which your arrow might miss Arjuna completely or at the
most hit his helmet. So if he fires at the heart then even if he lowers the chariot by
some trick, it will at least cut his throat. Karna rebuked him saying how could dare
to challenge His aim. He further said that now that he has taken aim, he would not
take it back and alter it as an arrow coming out from his quiver and aimed at an
enemy could never be altered. His confidence was such that he would not take back
a arrow aimed from his quiver. So this resulted in exchange of words between Karna
and Shalya. Finally Karna released the arrow and as expected Krishna sitting on the
seat as a charioteer, he applied great force on the right toe as he drove and made
the chariot sink into the earth by a few inches. The ground was already a mire with
incessant flow of blood, and the horses stumbled for a second and sat on their fore
knees, further downing the position of Arjuna’s seat, without throwing him out.
The chariot sank substantially into the earth by a foot or two, so that what was now
available as aim for the missile was the long crown of Arjuna once gifted by Indra and
hence one of his names was Kiritee. The missile hit that empty crown with
a thunderous force, and took it away to a distance leaving Arjuna fuming as
it was an insult. The missile not only carried it away but also burnt it in the
skies. It was as if a star got burst in the skies or two stars out of their orbits dashed
against each other, and the sight blinded all below on the earth. Krishna embraced
and congratulated him. Arjuna was perplexed. Krishna explained how he was saved
from losing his head to the nagastra fired by Karna. This missile was made to kill
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Arjuna, and he had not been taught how to intercept or counter it. So Krishna had
to adopt these means to save him. Meanwhile Karna and Shalya exchanged a few
words again. A miracle happened just then! The missile hissed back in a terrific
rush towards Karna, and everybody thought it was backfiring at
him in disappointment and disgust. But it came to the ears of the
hero and pleaded “You did not aim me well. Doesn’t matter Use me
again and aim this time at the enemy’s chest”. Karna was sad and
adamant. He did not want to use any missile once it left its quiver
again. He said he shall not allow him to take shelter in his quiver
again. The missile spoke up saying that he was Ashwasena. This head was once on
the shoulders of Takshaka’s son who died in the khandava fire. He repeatedly asked
Karna to use him promising victory. Karna would have none of it. The missile then
said Karna will regret this decision of his and disappeared with a terrible hiss.
The rest as we know how Karna died on the battlefield his wheel getting stuck and
he could not invoke any divine weapons due to the curse of his guru.
4. Creation of snakes – Kasyapa and Kadru
At the next stage of creation, Brahma asked Goddess Kadru to produce
all varieties of serpents, with their many designs and colours. Venomous vipers
slithered from holes in the ground, paralysing their victims with a single bite. Giant
anacondas wound around their prey and crushed them to death before swallowing
them whole. The fork-tongued and deadly cobra became the king of snakes.
Other goddesses produced eggs, which cracked open to reveal cold¬blooded
reptiles that scurried across the earth. Menacing crocodiles lumbered toward murky
waters in search of fish, crabs and other prey. Scaly chameleons, changing colour as
camouflage, trapped insects on their long sticky tongues. Some lizards had feet that
enabled them to climb vertical trees, or walk upside down from overhanging rocks.
Kaçyapa, who is also named Tärkñya, had four wives—Vinatä [Suparëä], Kadrü,
Pataìgé and Yäminé. Pataìgé gave birth to many kinds of birds, and Yäminé gave
birth to locusts. Vinatä [Suparëä] gave birth to Garuòa, the carrier of Lord Viñëu,
and to Anüru, or Aruëa, the chariot driver of the sun-god. Kadrü gave birth to
different varieties of serpents.
Did you know? In India, snakebite is a common cause of death so people
are allowed to kill poisonous snakes in self-defense. There is an old story about a
serpent called Kaliya who lived five thousand years ago. He had many heads and his
poison polluted the River Yamuna, killing trees, birds and fish. Krishna dived into
the river and danced on Kaliya’s man^ hoods, dodging the snake’s sharp teeth. After
a fierce battle, Krishna defeated Kaliya and sent him into exile near the island of Fiji.
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5. Shiva and poison
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing in His incarnation as
a tortoise, dove deep into the ocean to carry Mandara Mountain on His
back. At first the churning of the ocean produced kälaküöa poison. Everyone feared
this poison, but Lord Çiva satisfied them by drinking it.
With the understanding that when the nectar was generated from the churning
they would share it equally, the demigods and the
demons brought Väsuki to be used as the rope for
the churning rod. By the expert arrangement of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demons held the
snake near the mouth, whereas the demigods held the
tail of the great snake. Then, with great endeavor, they
began pulling the snake in both directions. Because
the churning rod, Mandara Mountain, was very heavy
and was not held by any support in the water, it sank into the ocean, and in this way
the prowess of both the demons and the demigods was vanquished. The Supreme
Personality of Godhead then appeared in the form of a tortoise and supported
Mandara Mountain on His back. Then the churning resumed with great force. As
a result of the churning, a huge amount of poison was produced. The
prajäpatis, seeing no one else to save them, approached Lord Çiva and
offered him prayers full of truth. Lord Çiva is called Äçutoña because he
is very pleased if one is a devotee. Therefore he easily agreed to drink
all the poison generated by the churning. The goddess Durgä, Bhaväné,
the wife of Lord Çiva, was not at all disturbed when Lord Çiva agreed to drink the
poison, for she knew Lord Çiva’s prowess. Indeed, she expressed her pleasure at this
agreement. Then Lord Çiva gathered the devastating poison, which was everywhere.
He took it in his hand and drank it. After he drank the poison, his neck became
bluish. A small quantity of the poison dropped from his hands to the ground, and
it is because of this poison that there are poisonous snakes, scorpions, toxic plants
and other poisonous things in this world.
Conclusion
A brief recap of the guru
back. At first the churning of the ocean produced kälaküöa poison. Everyone feared