Father used to perform Shradha annually
To pay to ancestors a token of love, respect and homage
With all prescribed rites and solemnity.
He would never fail to cover up cats the unruly
Lest they should profane the offerings causing impurity.
Alas! The son was least aware of the cats’ episode at an early age.
After father’s demise as he grew up to practise the same
The most abiding son left no stone unturned
But, alas! Now there were no cats, and what a shame!
He urged his wife and kids ignorant and unlearned:
“Go out and fetch the complements to be baskets under
Else, I’ll shirk, Shradha will be incomplete and sin I’ll incur!”
No sooner did the kids return, after a sweating search, with the cats
Than the anxious father, beamed with a smug smile, uttered ‘Congrats!’
* complements – the literal meaning is without which something/someone is incomplete. Here ‘cats’ are the complements.
* Shradha – annual functions as offerings, with Vedic rituals and worshippings, to the souls of the deceased of the paternal or maternal family
So well put sir very nice
ReplyDeleteTq dear Sir for yr feedback.
DeleteSuperbbbbb ink and well explained the superstitious rites that really had no gains.
ReplyDeleteIndeed dear friend you are a personality Par excellence. Stay Home and Stay Safe 🙏🙏
Tq so much dear Sir for yr inspiring
Deletefeedback.
Beautifully etched the curves of the old story and made it an excellent one. Thank you for this presentation of this poem.
ReplyDeleteCongrats.👌👏👏😀
Tq so much dear Sir for yr encouraging feedback.
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