8l J = Jl! H l H = U H lJ3 8l =l H Hu J= = HUl J !

Capt ai n Yashpal Si ngh UH lH

H (Snake)

The concept of globalization has brought revolutionary changes in third world countries. India
is no exception and has seen unprecedented prosperity and related life-style changes. Not just
cities, villages are presenting new looks too. Childhood memories of just about three decades
ago seem very strange and distant. The capital city of Delhi, citadel of power and clout, was
loosely mentioned as urban village. Todays amenities, which we take for granted, were
conspicuous by their absence and considered available only in western world.
For example, owning crudely made, license controlled, black and white T.V. was a luxury and
status symbol. Even then, there was only one channel, which was nothing but governments
mouth-piece. The transmission was limited to few hours of evening and night.
So the main source of recreation was street entertainers. They used to
roam the lanes of residential areas and announce their arrival in their individual style of playing
flute, violin or beating a small drum. The call was intended to attract the children and in an
instant we used to know that a particular entertainer was around the corner or across the street.
The entertainer used to choose an open and suitable space, squat on the ground and start
opening his bag full of paraphernalia. There was no dearth of open, wide spaces then. Oh! I am
getting nostalgic. He used to play an assortment of tricks, as we, mostly children, adolescents
and some adults gathered around him forming a ring. Some preferred to watch from their
verandahs and roof tops. Alas! No more roof tops and verandahs now. Marriage of monkey
couple and fight of snake and mongoose were all time favourites for most of us. At the end of
the show, the man used to go around the circle of spectators asking for money. People gave as
per their discretion and capability. Anyway, they did earn their living that way.
They also used to sell the dead discarded skin of snake. Some people
used to buy that on the basis of their beliefs. Some thought that keeping a piece would keep the
snake-god (Naag Devta) happy and away. Some students believed that keeping a bit of the
dead skin in their books would invoke the blessings and be helpful in their studies.
These were superstitions and false beliefs. Shedding of skin by snakes is
a natural and biological process. No superstition need be attached to it. In simple English it is
called moulting or sloughing. In zoology, it is termed as ecdysis. It is part of their natural
growing up. Young snakes slough their skins more often and as they age the frequency of
sloughing reduces. So, instead of feeling scared or harbouring any superstitions we should
marvel at the wonderful creation of the Wondrous Lord. In fact, this phenomenon is capable of
teaching us humans some useful lessons as well. That is what I learnt, when I was doing a
simple reading of Guru Granth Sahib. I was pleasantly surprised to find a mention of ecdysis in
Gurbani. Not only did it bring back the childhood memories of street entertainment, it gave me
reason to introspect and look inwards. Let us ponder over the following two quotes from
Gurbani and move towards improving our lives.
8l J = Jl! H l H = U H lJ3 8l =l H Hu J= = HUl J !
Capt ai n Yashpal Si ngh UH lH

H! WU JJ |8 J| J!J (T.T.H!. HW 485)

Translated, it reads like this:
Snake sloughs yet does not discard the venom. (G.G.S. page 485)
So what do we learn from this? This means that washing the body does not cleanse the mind
filled with vices. This means that I may appear to be religious by way of my particular garb
(white, blue or saffron), rosary, sandalwood mark, ablutions, pilgrimages etc., but they do not
help in removing the greed, lust, jealousy, hatred, ego and numerous other ills.
It may be interesting to know that when snake reaches a stage of shedding its
skin, it becomes very sluggish and its skin also gets dull, rough and ugly. But after sloughing
off, it becomes sprightly and energetic. New, glistening and gleaming, beautiful skin comes
out. But the venom, inside remains as such.
Is it not the story of most of us? We do mechanical recitation of scriptures, bathe
at pilgrimages, do ablutions, wear white starched garb etc. We indeed try to slough off and
feel reassurance of being shiny and clean. But we never stop to think of the venom (lust, greed,
ego etc.) inside we carry around with us. Gurbani says, the meditation of the Almighty Lords
Name can help in ridding us of the venom. Reading, singing, listening, contemplating Gurbani
is the easiest and simplest way of embarking upon this fruitful occupation.
H. 0. 0 l
(Sl ough,
dead ski n)
H
(Snake)
8l J = Jl! H l H = U H lJ3 8l =l H Hu J= = HUl J !
Capt ai n Yashpal Si ngh UH lH

The second quote is a saloka of bhagat Kabeer Ji and reads wonderfully like this:

W8|J TJ8 W|H|H UJ| U| HJT
H!H W!| J|H H!JT |HU WlUJ| FUT
(T.T.H!. HW J366)
The translation reads like this:
Kabeer! Do not be haughty as you behold your beautiful body. Today
or tomorrow, you will have to part with it; like snake sheds its skin.
(G.G.S. page: 1366)
It is futile to nurture pride. Youth is transient and is taken over by old age soon. It is, therefore,
foolish to be boastful about it. Pride is extremely subtle and manifests itself in numerous forms.
Bhagat Kabeer Ji uses simile of skin shedding by snake and exhorts humankind to forsake the
disease of ego. In utter humility, he does so by addressing and motivating himself.
Let us also seek inspiration from Gurbani and learn that it is much better to be
grateful to the Creator who has given this vessel of human body rather than being conceited
about it. Let us meditate on Almighty Wahegurus Name, overpower the ego and make our
lives meaningful.