Sages Immersed in Kṛṣṇa-kathā
In a peaceful forest near the hermitage of saintly sages, a group of learned brāhmaṇas would regularly assemble beneath a sacred banyan tree. Their hearts were absorbed in the nectar of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and their discussions overflowed with devotion, wisdom, and divine joy. Day after day, they glorified the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu, especially the enchanting childhood pastimes of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
The Arrival of an Unexpected Listener
One afternoon, as the sages chanted and read from the Bhāgavatam, a deadly cobra silently slithered through the tall grass and drew close to the assembly. The brāhmaṇas saw the snake approach, but rather than reacting with fear, they remained unshaken. Their minds were fixed on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, and their lips naturally uttered:
“Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya.”
The Snake Shows Reverence
To the amazement of all present, the cobra halted a few feet away, lifted its hood—not in menace, but with a mood that seemed reverent and calm. Its eyes widened, not with hunger or aggression, but as if in deep attention. It remained motionless, silently witnessing the sacred narration of the Lord’s līlās.
The Power of Bhāgavata Śravaṇa
Hours passed as the brāhmaṇas continued their reading, completely undisturbed by the snake’s presence. The cobra, too, remained still—listening, absorbing the divine sound vibrations. As the sun dipped below the horizon and the day’s recitation concluded, something miraculous occurred. The cobra let out a gentle hiss, coiled itself gracefully, and left its body.
Divine Liberation
At that very moment, a brilliant and radiant soul emerged from the snake’s body. Before the astonished eyes of the brāhmaṇas, the Viṣṇudūtas—the messengers of Lord Viṣṇu—descended from the heavens, smiling radiantly and holding garlands of fragrant flowers. They welcomed the liberated soul with honor and declared:
“This jīva was once a brāhmaṇa who had been cursed due to committing offenses in his past life. As a result, he took birth as a snake. But today, by the power of hearing the Bhāgavatam, even in this reptilian form, his heart was purified. Now, by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa-kathā, he is liberated and is being taken to Vaikuṇṭha.”
Increased Faith and Joy
The sages, overwhelmed with divine emotion, offered their full daṇḍavat-praṇāmas to the Lord. Their faith in the glories of the Bhāgavatam deepened, and they chanted the holy names with even greater enthusiasm, tears of joy streaming from their eyes.
Lessons from This Story
- The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam possesses such transcendental power that even a snake—an animal—was liberated by merely hearing its narration once.
- Even grave offenses that result in degraded births can be overcome by contact with bhakti and the association of devotees.
- The company of devotees and the sound of Kṛṣṇa-kathā uplift and purify even the most fallen souls.
- The Viṣṇudūtas, servants of the Lord, are ever-watchful for souls who turn toward the Lord and are ready to escort them to the spiritual world.
- This pastime illustrates the truth of the verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.18):
“nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā”
—“By regular attendance in classes on the Bhāgavatam and by rendering service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed.”
Origin of the Story:
This story is based on narrations found in the Padma Purāṇa and devotional commentaries glorifying the power of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and its liberating influence on all living beings.
