Snakebite - Two Short Stories

 

First Story:

The king’s soldiers captured a venomous serpent that had taken the lives of many citizens in the kingdom. The soldiers asked for the king’s command:

"Maharaj, what should be done with this venomous serpent?"

The king promptly ordered, "There is no need to think—crush it to death!"

Without delay, the soldiers killed the serpent.

Second Story:

The king’s soldiers captured a venomous serpent that had been responsible for the deaths of many citizens. They awaited the king’s command:

"Maharaj, what should be done with this venomous serpent?"

Instead of making a hasty decision, the king sought advice from his ministers.

First Minister’s Advice:

"Maharaj, without any second thoughts, this venomous serpent must be killed. If it is released, it will bite again and endanger the lives of more citizens. If left alive, more serpents from the nearby jungle will invade the city and threaten the people."

Second Minister’s Advice:

"Maharaj, we must also consider the serpent’s side. A serpent is venomous by nature, and its bite is deadly. However, we are civilized humans. 'An eye for an eye' is not our principle. Whether it is a citizen or a serpent, both deserve justice. Taking its life without deeper thought would be unfair."

The king found the second minister’s reasoning convincing and decided to consult a committee of esteemed citizens. The committee consisted of highly intelligent, progressive, and multi-talented individuals.

The committee of esteemed citizens advised the king:

"Maharaj, a serpent is venomous by nature, and biting is its instinct. It bit people simply because of its nature, not out of malice. Since its bite is poisonous, people died, but how can the serpent be blamed for that? Sentencing it to death would be unjust. Instead of killing the serpent, we recommend keeping it in a golden cage and offering it milk as an offering every Nag Panchami. This way, it will not escape or pose a threat."

The king agreed with the committee’s advice and spared the serpent’s life. He had the serpent placed in a golden cage and began offering it milk every year on Nag Panchami.

However, one Nag Panchami, while the king was offering milk to the serpent, it bit him, and the king died from the venom.

he Question:

Who was responsible for the king’s death?

Was it the serpent or the committee of esteemed citizens?

The sage Swami Trikaldarshi said:

"Whoever can answer this question correctly will never die from a serpent's bite."