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 sur-
rendering 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.”
