A 'HELLO' TO KAALI MAA



“Gods, always, behave like the people who make them.”

— Zora Neale Hurston

 

I got curious when I came across the above quote. I read it a couple of times trying to comprehend what it wanted to convey…

Well, finally, the question kept haunting me: Do Gods make us, or do we make Gods?

Interesting, question… Isn’t it?

Two days ago, I had sent a copy of my new blog book (Volume 1) —‘FINDING EXTRAORDINARY IN THE ORDINARY’ to my friend Paromita’s residence (a Bengali). It’s her birthday, and she, being a great lover of books, was super thrilled to get a special present from me.

It was 10 am in the morning. “How’s been your special day?” I asked Paromita.

“Oh, exciting!” Paromita said transmitting to me her excitement over the phone. She continued, “I visited two Kaali maa temples… One was an easy entry for all. The other was located inside Anushakti Nagar (BARC colony)… The Security officer at the gate was strict and didn’t allow me when I told, that I wanted to visit Kaali maa’s temple.”

“So, how did you make it, then?” I asked my friend.

I sweetly told the young Security officer at the gate, “Sir, it’s my birthday, today… Don’t you want me to go and say ‘Hello’ to Kaali maa?”

“And, that did it?”

“Yes, yes… He melted, and wished me with a warm smile, ‘Happy b’day, madam… Please go in.’”

BARC Security is quite strict. Normally, one would get tense when stopped and behave offensively or defensively. But, Paromita behaved exactly how Goddess Kaali had made her –- honest, frank and enthusiastic…

So, once more, Zora Neale Hurston’s quote pops up before me, to check if it makes sense to me:

“Gods, always, behave like the people who make them.”





GERALD D’CUNHA

 

Pic.:  Wallpaper Access

Video: Sourendro Soumyojit

Comments

Anonymous said…
Beautifully expressed. Simple and fun to read and introspective as well.
August 27, 2026 at 11:21 PM
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