A somber occasion of offering our heartfelt condolences and flower offerings at the altar of The Founder of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, New Delhi, was in progress. All Ashram inmates were supposed to be present at the event. It was in 1986 September, at the present location of the Samadhi of the Late Founder. All assembled inmates were chanting sacred Mantras amidst the pouring of Ghee into the sacred fire. Tall trees and the Meditation hall surround this place. As the smoke from the fire went up, it stirred the hornet net hiding on the branch of a tree. The hornets soop down in hundreds and attacked the assembled inmates. Many started running from the place to get rid of their attack. These hornets were equally adamant about chasing the running away people and could not avoid being bitten. One of the persons with a long beard was chased by the hornets, perhaps thinking that he was carrying away their nests, and he got severely bitten despite being a good runner.  

The Ashram has a health center, and many had to be treated. The critics among us said that the departed soul was unhappy with the whole process and vented his displeasure using the hornets to disperse the people involved in the event.

I was not present on this occasion, but I heard the whole story from many inmates bitten by the hornets.