148
Teachings of Lord Chaitanya
The hunter replied, "Oh, my dear sir, what are you asking of me? Why are you asking this? What is the difference between half-killing and killing completely?"
Narada replied, "If you half-kill the animals, then they suffer too much pain, and if you give too much pain to other living entities, it is a great sin. When you kill an animal completely, there is much offense, but it is not so great as that accrued by half-killing an animal. In other words, pain which you give to the half-dead animals will have to be accepted by you also in some of the future births awaiting you."
Although the hunter was very sinful, yet in association of a great devotee like Narada, his mind became softened, and he was afraid of the sins. Those who are grossly sinful are not afraid at all of committing sins; but here we can see that because his purification began in the association of a great devotee like Narada, he was afraid of his sinful activities.
The hunter therefore said, "My dear sir, from my childhood I have been taught to kill animals like that. So would you kindly tell me how can I get rid of all the offenses and sinful activities which I have committed? I am surrendering unto your feet. Please save me from all the reactions of my sinful activities in the past, and just direct me in the proper path so that I can be free."
Narada replied, "If you actually want to follow my direction, then I can tell you the real path of being freed from these sinful reactions."
The hunter agreed, and told Narada Muni, "Whatever you direct, I shall follow without any hesitation."
Narada then asked him to first break his bow, and then he would disclose the path of liberation.
The hunter replied, "You are asking me to break my bow, but if I break it then what will be the means of my living?"
Narada replied, "Don't worry for your living. I shall send you sufficient grains so that you can live."
Thereupon, the hunter broke his bow and fell down at the feet of Narada. Narada got him to stand up, and instructed him: "Just go to your home and whatever money and valuables you have there, distribute amongst the devotees and Brahmins, and just come out with me, wearing only one cloth. Construct a small thatched house on the bank of the river, and sow the tulsi plant by the house. Just circumambulate the tulsi tree, and every day taste one fallen leaf, and always chant  Hare Krishna ,  Hare Krishna ,  Krishna Krishna ,  Hare Hare/Hare Rama ,  Hare Rama ,  Rama Rama ,  Hare Hare . So far as your living is concerned, I shall send you the required grains. But you will only accept as much grain as you require for yourself and your wife."