An Unexpected Spectacled Visitor

Hindu mythology states that there are 330 million gods & goddesses. One may not know a tiny fraction of these gods but unquestionably will know Goddess Lakshmi. She is the goddess of wealth & Fridays are dedicated to her. Everyone desires her presence in abundance in their homes. People perform special pooja to please her, with doors of the houses wide open. Such that she arrives to reside at home & steers towards prosperity.

On a Friday noon, Kumudini called out for her children, "Prashanth...Kanika..." As Kanika came down the stairs, she asked, "Why are you screaming on top of your lungs?" Kumudini was shivering. It looked like; she had seen a ghost. Kumudini uttered, "Snake." Kanika stopped midway on the stairs & asked, "What?" Kumudini replied, "In the kitchen... Cupboard... Behind the oil cans... I saw a tail... It coiled… I know… Snake…" She was incoherent.

Kanika said, "Amma, calm down... Take a deep breath. Tell me what happened?" Kumudini replied, "I opened the kitchen cupboard to pick up a vessel. Behind the oil cans, I saw a tail move swiftly. I know... I know it's a snake. I immediately shut the door." Kanika breathed slowly & enquired, "Amma is the stove on?" Kumudini's eyes widened & she nodded yes. Kanika stated, "Stay calm, call the snake catcher. I will check the kitchen." Kanika walked into the kitchen & turned off the stove. She shut the doors of other rooms.

Meanwhile, Prashanth & Kumudini were on their mobile phones at the car porch to contact any available snake catchers. Finally, they zeroed on a snake catcher & he was half an hour away. Kanika sat on the stairs, for it was a vantage point to watch out for the snake. She called out, "Amma, come in & sit on the sofa with raised feet." Kumudini's face & ears had turned red with fear. She sat on the sofa, cross-legged. Her right elbow rested on her knee & right palm supported her heavy head.

Kanika asked, "Snake's fear noise. Considering your symphony in the kitchen alone, how did it venture so far?" Kumudini replied, "Half an hour ago, I opened the same cupboard & I did not see it." Kanika thought for a while & commented, "Oh, Friday pooja with doors wide open. It must have come through the main door, no other way. Today, Lord Vishnu has sent his representative Anantha (serpent on which Lord Vishnu sleeps). Next is his wife Goddess Lakshmi's turn." Kanika & Prashanth's eyes met & they exchanged a mischievous giggle. Kumudini raised her head towards her daughter & softly spoke, "Will you keep quiet?" Kanika continued, "Amma shall I check your BP now?" Kumudini answered, "Now it will be through the roof." Prashanth added, "Exactly! Your BP is always low; now, it will be high. It is the right time to check." Kumudini stated in an angry tone, "My heart is racing & you both are running a comedy commentary." Kanika grinned & said, "That's exactly the point."

Kanika's questioning continued. She asked, "Amma, if it's a king cobra will you do pooja?" Kumudini lost her patience & yelled. "Kanika, will you shut up? Or should I whack you?" Kanika sharply replied, "Arey... in the morning you told, today is Amavasya (no moon) & tomorrow a solar eclipse. This combination has a negative influence on our moon sign." It seemed like Kumudini would whack on their heads. She checked the railway clock on the wall & wondered when would the snake catcher arrive.

After an excruciating 30mins, the snake catcher arrived. While the mother-daughter duo waited at the car porch, Prashanth & the snake catcher went into the kitchen. Within minutes, the snake was captured & put into a transparent plastic jar. Kanika was like, a kid in a candy store. With widened eyes & excitement, she inquired, "What snake is it?" The snake catcher smiled & responded, "It is a 3-day old, wheat (colour) spectacled king cobra." She admired the confined angry baby snake as it raised its hood & displayed the spectacle. The snake catcher bagged the jar & stated, "Please be cautious; there could be other baby snakes around. As a precaution, sprinkle some bleaching powder. The strong odour will keep them away."

Kumudini was still reeling from the incident. She went back into the house, sat on the sofa with her feet down & sighed with relief. Prashanth questioned, "Amma, what if there are other baby snakes hidden somewhere else on the property?" He continued, "Instead of rangoli powder, use bleaching powder to draw rangoli. It will keep other baby snakes away." Kanika & Prashanth laughed; Kumudini was on the verge of breathing fire.

A week later, Kanika asked, "Amma, did that lady arrive?" Kumudini returned a puzzled look. She continued, "Lord Vishnu's representative Anantha was here last week. When is his wife arriving?" Kumudini thumped her right palm to her forehead. A moment later, Kumudini replied, "Goddess Lakshmi is already here & will continue to reside. I have conveyed this message to Lord Vishnu through his representative Anantha." Kanika smiled widely & said, "Oh, look at you! You are still afraid to open that corner cupboard but have managed to develop a sense of humour."

Take Away:

• Always stay calm, especially in life-threatening situations. Panic may get one killed.

• One should learn to laugh at their problems; otherwise, they will.

• One to plan finances well, such that Goddess Lakshmi resides with them. She can be in the form of noble metals (gold/silver), property, FDs, MFs, SIPs, equity, or the latest one being a cryptocurrency.