Sadhvi Kalp Lata
While travelling in Maharashtra, Sadhvi Rayakanwarji (Sardarshahar) went to Sevagram to stay in the Ashram of Vinobaji. In those days Chamanbhai Jain belonging to Murti poojak sect (Icon-worshipping sect) lived there. He showed a room to the nuns for their dwelling.
In the afternoon, some students who were not familiar with the nuns came there. They talked with the nuns, learnt about the religion and prepared to go. While going they talked amongst themselves, “These nuns think about the welfare of the others, but who asked them to live in this dangerous place? If some snake bites them, then what they can do.”
The nuns heard this conversation and felt disturbed. Without a second thought, two of the nuns got out and went to Mr. Chamanbhai. He knew all about it. He said to the nuns patiently, “The monks and nuns are forever fearless. What would a snake do? You have always been non-violent and observing the vow of celibacy. The good vibrations radiated by you will impress the snake, so you need not worry about it.”
Sadhvi Rayakanwarji said boldly, “Chamanbhai! We don’t have any fear in our mind. This is a solid cemented house. We have had experience of staying in huts in the forests. Whatever we heard of, we have told you. We have got our Mantra ‘Om Bhikshu’ and it would rid us of all fears.” The nuns encouraged themselves and their fear fled away.
The whole day they remained busy. The nuns had a view of the on-going activities of Vinoba Ashram. They preached in Gandhi Ashram and gave an introduction of Acharya Tulsi and the Anuvrat movement.
After completing their daily rituals such as Pratikramana,"meditation and the prayer they got ready to go to bed. Just then Sadhvi Rayakanwarji cautioned everyone and said, “Keep the doors of the room open. Each one of us will turn by turn, chant the Mantra of ‘Om Bhikshu’. By keeping the doors open, the snake will come inside. We can see it because of light. It may be possible that due to darkness we may trample over the snake.”
The other nuns liked this idea. One of the nuns sat down to chant the Mantra and the rest fell into slumber. All of a sudden, the nuns heard the snake hissing. Everyone saw that the snake with its raised hood sat coiled at the entrance of the gate. The nuns continued to chant the Mantra. One of the nuns said, “We have got the holy Mantra of “Om Bhikshu” and we have the power of our sadhana with us, so we need not fear.” After a few minutes the snake crept away silently, the way it had come. Due to the grace of Swamiji, the nuns had a fearless ‘sleep. Soon’ after the -sun rise, Mr. Chamanbhai came and asked them about the snake. Though he had himself asked the nuns to stay in this dangerous room, he also harboured a fear in his mind.
After hearing from the nuns, Mr. Chamanbhai was ashamed of himself. Asking for forgiveness he said, “Because of -me you had to face so much- trouble. You are great, your power is great, your guru is also great. This Mantra always protects you everywhere. I have come to understand this now.”
