Mahavira and the Serpent Chandkaushik

During his period of spiritual pursuit, Lord Mahavira deliberately traveled through a dangerous forest near a village. The villagers warned him not to go, as the forest was the territory of Chandkaushik, an incredibly vicious and venomous serpent whose mere gaze was said to be lethal.

Unfazed, Mahavira entered the forest, found a quiet spot near Chandkaushik's anthill, and stood in deep meditation (Kayotsarga).

When Chandkaushik sensed a human in his territory, he became furious. He hissed loudly, spewed venom, and finally bit Mahavira on the toe. But to the serpent's shock, instead of red blood, pure white milk flowed from Mahavira's toe, symbolizing his absolute purity and lack of malice.

Mahavira opened his eyes, looked at the snake with boundless love, and said softly, "Bujhha, Chandkaushik, Bujhha" (Awaken, Chandkaushik, Awaken).

Hearing the compassionate voice of the Tirthankara, Chandkaushik suddenly remembered his past lives. He realized that his intense anger had caused him to be reborn in this miserable, venomous state. Filled with remorse, the snake decided to give up violence entirely.

Chandkaushik retreated to his hole and spent the rest of his life fasting peacefully, bearing the pain when villagers threw stones at him, and eventually died in absolute peace, securing a higher rebirth.