Ananta
As usual, Kakai ( Uncle’s mom) woke me up early! It is probably the only thing that I hate about granny’s place otherwise I am all calm and content after coming here. Little Mau (cat) kept pulling my rug until I was wide awake and kept my feet on the floor. “I am in the Backyard, brush your teeth and freshen up till I come…!,” I heard Kakai’s shout trundling my way out of the bed and sat at the dining table playing with Mau. Rushing her way through the kitchen Kakai came with a hand full of Anantas and put them in the aluminium bucket. ‘I know you are grumpy in the morning but I had to pluck these flowers early morning before these neighbours wake up’, Kakai said. But you own this tree, right? Then why are you concerned about them, I asked.
Resting my elbows on the table I watched this 75 years old lady working through the kitchen like a new bride. It’s just that once they see these bloomed Anantas, they would ask to pluck them and I won’t be able to deny them, she explained. ‘You have always been like this! Never been able to say No!’, I frowned continuing my arrogant reply ‘but why do you like them so much anyway? I mean can’t you just offer other flowers to the god?’ Kakai continued making Poha, ignoring my question…and I continued playing with Mau. Within 10 mins a plate full of Poha garnished with coriander and crushed coconut cream was served in front of me. Because I have been offering Aanantas for last 15 years, I heard Kakai’s murmured reply while hogging poha.
‘I don’t get it, you all think your god likes the flowers you guys offer…Ajji offers Hibiscus, Aai offers Chafa, Aunty offers Jasmine and Now you! All of you need to sort this out with the god once and for all!’, I commented teasing her.
Kakai responded,’ Why do you think we offer different flowers? These are all the flowers we like…It’s same with the essence sticks. We buy the once we like the smell of. Doesn’t that make you wonder? I think it’s different because we have different gods, the gods we carry within. This Puja, flowers, essence sticks feed the god within me.’ Then what about Demons? , I asked. Some of us choose to feed the demon whereas the others chose to feed the god. I sat in the Veranda while Kakai was busy in the morning prayers. As I sat thinking about what she said earlier, I started to wonder…Who am I feeding? The god or the demon?