(E) Mrigari the Hunter (ahimsa)
Once upon a time, the great saint Narada Muni was on his way through a forest to bathe at the confluence of the three sacred rivers, the Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati.. As he was walking, he came across a deer lying on the path. He saw that the animal was pierced by an arrow, had broken legs, and was writhing in agony. A few steps ahead, Narada saw a boar, which also had broken limbs and was apparently in considerable pain. When he went further, he saw a rabbit suffering a similar fate. The saint was aggrieved to see these animals in acute distress. As Narada Muni advanced further, he caught sight of a hunter behind a tree, equipped with a bow and arrows, and poised to kill. The hunter appeared fierce, with reddish eyes. As Narada left the forest path, making his way towards the hunter, all the birds and animals immediately saw him and fled. Seeing the animals flee, the hunter was upset and felt like rebuking Narada. But he restrained himself from uttering any abuse. Composing himself, he asked, “Oh great saintly person! Why have you left the path and come towards me? Simply by seeing you, all the animals I was hunting have fled”. Narada Muni replied, “I have come to you with a doubt in my mind. I was wondering whether the boar and other half killed animals belong to you”. The hunter replied, ‘Yes, I have left them in that condition”.
Narada Muni asked him why he wasn’t completely killing the animals. The hunter replied, “My name is Mrigari, enemy of the animals. My father taught me to kill them in that way. When I see half-killed animals suffer, I feel great pleasure”. Narada Muni then told the hunter that he had one thing to beg from him. The hunter, thinking that the saint wanted one of the animals, said, “I have many skins if you would like them. I shall give you the pelt of deer or tiger.” Narada replied, “I do not want any skins from you. I just want you to promise me one thing. Please from this day, do not leave the animals half dead, but instead kill them completely”. The hunter looked perplexed, and inquired, “But what is wrong with the animals lying there half dead?”
Narada replied, “If you leave the animals half dead, you are purposefully giving them pain. Therefore, you will also suffer that same agony in the future. Being a hunter, your business is to kill animals. That is already a slight offence, but to give them more pain purposefully is a great sin”. Narada continued, “In your forthcoming lives, all the animals that you have killed will kill you, one after another.”
The hunter became pensive. As Narada continued, he became somewhat aware of the sinful nature of his activities, and afraid for his offences. He said, “I have been taught this business from my very childhood. What can I now do to become free from the sins I have committed? Please help me, O great saint”. Narada Muni assured the hunter of his assistance, and asked him to follow his simple instructions that would assure the hunter’s salvation.
“First of all break your bow and then I shall tell you what to do”, instructed Narada.
“If I break my bow, how I will I maintain myself?”, Mrigari asked.
Narada consoled him, “Don’t worry, I shall supply your food everyday”.
Convinced by Narada’ arguments, Mrigari immediately snapped his bow in two, and cast it aside. He fell down at the saint’s feet, as a sign of surrender. Narada then advised the hunter to return home and distribute whatever riches he had to pure brahmins and other holy people. . He told him to subsequently leave home with his wife, taking only some cloth to wear.
“Leave home and go to the river. There you should construct a small cottage. In front of the cottage you should grow a Tulasi plant on a raised platform. After planting the Tulasi tree before your house, you should daily circumambulate the plant, and serve her by offering her water and other auspicious items such as incense and flowers. You should continuously chant the Hare Krishna mantra. Everyday, I shall send you sufficient food for both you and your good wife. You can take as much food as you want”.
After instructing Mrigari, Narada brought the three half-killed animals back to life. Mrigari was struck with wonder. Narada then left to complete his pilgrimage. Mrigari returned home and began to sincerely and conscientiously follow the sage’s instructions.
The news of a hunter becoming a great saint soon spread all over the village, and even beyond. People began to visit to take darshan (audience) of the hunter-turned-saint. As customary, they would bear with them a gift, often of food. As a result, Mrigari and his wife received enough food to feed ten or twenty people. Nonetheless, they were careful not to overeat, and to only accept as much as they needed..
One day, while speaking to his friend, Paravata Muni, Narada requested him to come with him to see the hunter. Parvata Muni happily accepted the invitation. When they arrived, Mrigari spotted the two sages from a distance. With great eagerness, he began to run toward them, but hesitated to fall down and offer obeisances because ants where running around his guru’s feet. He removed his shawl and carefully whisked them away with the cloth. Only after ensuring that the ground was clear, did he fall down flat to offer his respects.
Narada Muni said, “My dear hunter, such behaviour is not astonishing. A person in God’s service is automatically non-violent. He is the best of gentlemen”. The hunter then received the two saints in the courtyard of his house. He spread out a straw mat for them to sit upon, and with great devotion, he implored them to sit down. Mrigari the fetched water and washed the sages’ feet. Seeing his great devotion, they blessed him saying,
“You are truly fortunate”. They then left that place, to go wherever the Lord took them.