Trivial
pamho, AGtSP!
Returned from Florida after a week of house-seva and had a strong lesson in impersonalism.
The home I was working on had Yellow-Jackets starting nests in the front entry ceiling and was in process of removing their nests before they got entrenched. Considering the most humane process to do this, I decided to use a hose with a water-nozzle and knock off nest foundations and sweep the hornets away, wet, but safely.
The first of the 2 nests went smoothly; the second was more effort, though I finally succeeded in its removal. Then a toxic spray was applied around the parameter to deter future builds.
All good thus far... then I felt something on my left leg, there was someone climbing up my calf, so I quickly, “shake-a-leg “ as they say, the hornet had me, it could of bit or stung me. Flopping to the driveway pavement the wasp was contorting and twisting. I thought it was injured. Moving closer to observe, the yellow-jacket turned and looked at me, then it straightened out and flew to a nearby tree. The expression and contractions were directed at me, had feelings that animosity was there, I’ve never experienced that with a trivial insect before.
Later on, I was fortunate to be able to go to an evening home program in Alachua (see photo) and get some good association. Left early though, had to catch up on rounds and made it back to the house. Chanting as best I could, it was still getting late and my back rested on the wall...then I’m out.
A tiny voice woke me from my stupor; the voice was from a dream of a miniature entity, not quite insect or human. The moment shocked me; I was impersonal in my earlier pest objectives and caused an offense to another soul, one in a tiny six-legged body. The insignificant bug had me in a quandary, for my actions could deem karmic repercussions and certainly did not want to be displaced as I had done to this yellow-jacket.
The following day I was packing and getting ready to return to Houston while finalizing the remainder of Grha-service and stepped outside to see 3 out of the 4 wasps all in a circle at an above ceiling light fixture. Still feeling remorse, I took a bottle of Ganga & saltwater and gave them all a light shower and continued packing.
Pulling out of the garage, I went back to secure the doors and saw one last wasp at the light. Grabbed a boom and gently swooshed it away and watched it return to its tree. Closing the house, I left realizing I was really the one who was insignificant and trivial, I came destroyed and then departed. Duties sometimes may seem petty, yet for others it may seem most horrendous.
Sorry to “bug” with my buzzing blog, Maharaja, just needed to share my lack of care and try to do things more aware.
All Glories to your service!
your servant , c.c.
HpS - Hare Krsna. It is impossible not to kill in the material world while drinking water, lighting fires, or walking. Vedas say so... Then we have to settle up our debt. So many sacrifices are there, but in Kali yuga the sacrifice is there.
Try to minimize the violence and then Krsna will make the rest perfect!!
