Patience, Tolerance, Self-control & Faith- Lessons from the python

The Avadhuta Brahmana was asked by Maharaj Yadu to explain the reason for his great internal happiness and ecstasy. He responds by saying that he has taken shelter of the 24 gurus. One of those Gurus is the python and the Avadhuta Brahmana shares different lessons that a saintly person must learn from the python.

We discussed one of those(SB 11.8.1)  in the post

Material Happiness comes of its own accord- do not waste time seeking it.

Further the Avadhuta Brahmana speaks the following verses:

SB 11.8.2: Following the example of the python, one should give up material endeavors and accept for one's maintenance food that comes of its own accord, whether such food be delicious or tasteless, ample or meager.

SB 11.8.3: If at any time food does not come, then a saintly person should fast for many days without making endeavor. He should understand that by God's arrangement he must fast. Thus, following the example of the python, he should remain peaceful and patient.

Pythons are ambush predators/hunters. Ambush predators or sit-and-wait predators are carnivorous animals that capture prey by stealth or cunning, not by speed or necessarily by strength. These organisms usually hide motionless and wait for prey to come within striking distance.Also once they eat they can stay without food for a very long time.Also the pythons will not kill unnecessarily if they are not in need of food unless they fear harm to themselves.

In these verses the Avadhuta Brahamana is indicating that just like the python we must also not indulge in atyahara - we must not overindulge for unnecessary things.

Another important point has been raised in 11.8.3 above that if at any time food doesn't come one must fast without making an endeavor and we must take it as Gods arrangement and remain peaceful and patient.

As explained in the purport:

" If by God's arrangement one is forced to suffer material hardship, then one should think, "Due to my past sinful activity I am now being punished. In this way, God is mercifully making me humble." The word śayīta means one should remain peaceful and patient without mental agitation. Diṣṭa-bhuk means one must accept the Personality of Godhead as the supreme controller and not foolishly give up one's faith due to material inconvenience. Tat te 'nukampāḿ su-samīkṣamāṇo bhuñjāna evātma-kṛtaḿ vipākam (Bhāg. 10.14.8). A devotee of the Lord always accepts material hardship as the mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa; thus he becomes eligible for supreme liberation."

Thus we learn three things from the Python:

1. Do not indulge in atyahara
2. Remain peaceful and patient without mental agitation in the face of material distress
3. Accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the Supreme controller and not foolishly give up one's faith due to material inconvenience
4. Tolerate every situation because it is God's arrangement for us to become humble.