Parables of Rama
by Swami Rama Tirtha | 102,836 words
Stories in English used by Swami Rama to illustrate the highest teaching of Vedanta. The most difficult and intricate problems of philosophy and abstract truths, which may very well tax the brains of the most intellectual, are thus made not only simple and easy to understand but also brought home to us in a concrete form in such an interesting and ...
When Moses heard a voice in the bush, he found a. hissing snake beside him. Moses was frightened out of his wits; he trembled; his breast was throbbing; all the blood almost curdled in his veins; he was undone. A voice cried unto him - "Fear not, O Moses; catch the snake; hold it fast; dare, dare catch hold of it." Moses trembled still and again the voice cried unto him, “Moses, come forth, catch hold of the snake”. Moses caught hold of it and lo, it was a beautiful and most splendid staff.
The snake (sanp) stands for truth (sanch). You know, according to the Hindus and the other Orientals, Truth or Final Reality is represented by the snake (Shesh). The snake coils up itself in a spiral form, making circles within circles, and puts its tail back into its mouth. And so we see in this world; we have circles within circles; everything repeating itself by going round and round and extremes meeting. This is a universal law or principle which runs through the whole universe.
To catch hold of the snake means to put yourself boldly into the position of the wielder of Divine Law, or Ruler of the Universe. Put yourself boldly in that position and realize your oneness with Divinity.
MORAL: The world is a dreadful dragon to one who fears it, but it serves him faithfully who faces it boldly with the knowledge of self.