Loss Of Gains:

The Croc and The Monkey

Vishnu Sarma begins his fourth Tantra with the following stanza:

“He overcomes all problems
Who does not lose his cool
Even in the face of adversity
Like the monkey in the water.”

Raktamukha was a monkey living on a blackberry tree near the coast. That tree was always full of fruits. One day a crocodile named Karalamukha came out of the waters and loitering on the sands came to the tree.

Seeing the croc, the monkey said, “O croc, you are my guest. I will feed you with these delicious blackberries. Enjoy the fare. The learned have said,

“That man is blessed who hosts
A lover or an enemy or a fool.
Angels will desert the home
That fails to host a guest.”