Catty Chase

 Friday word: Chase

              Catty Chase

Mini sprang across the ferny bushes in quest of a safe, breathing space. It was a task to do so in an overtly crowded city. But not impossible either because she soon found a cosy knook just around the corner. She nestled herself purring heavily, half out of exhaustion and remaining fifty out of desperation. How long to run to save a petite life? Whom to live for -the fur and whiskers? 

"Mini, Mini my darling where are you?" 

Mini could smell the fish from the tone of her mistress. Today was Friday -Fishy Friday. This is what one needs to survive for after a good 5km chase. The city dogs ran like hounds, God knows what goes into their pedigree, she said sweet nothings to herself. Might as well think of them later after a hearty meal of fried salmon. Very diligently, she placed one paw on the treat and began to devour her Christmas feast by tearing into the snout of the salmon. 

Licking, smelling, chewing.... She was in a trance of some sort. 

The chase of life was more difficult than for earning a living. The food was on the platter, not just basic but delicious. In fact the vulernable chase made her look like a distressed animal and the cat lovers came to her rescue. Many build cat abodes and comfy cat trees with ample scratching space, but her flamboyant nature could never glue her to one place. The chase towards her dreams made her jump fences and wires breaking norms and inhibitions. 

Errr... Bow bow... Bow.. Her reverie was broken by the threat siren and now the salmon would have to wait till she did a merry go round the colony, coming back to it in leisure. 

Bhaag Mini Bhaag... She cursed herself for daydreaming as this moment she was chased by Kallu the notoriously famous Canine Mafia. She could easily throw dust into the eyes of the local strays but Kallu was her inevitable karma. Her past misdeeds of deceptively wipping off fresh cream from milky, kitchen containers, were seeking moksha as fate chased her. Her sinful acts of not being faithful to a single human demanded justice now. Getting pampered, brushed and noticed on her haughty moods was now called to the court. She, like everytime,  ran promising herself to be as loyal and obedient as a dog, but this time there was no escape. The worst seemed inevitable and unavoidable. 

Kallu was at his pawy best. He not only ran but threw ferocious growling barks to kill his prey with fear more than physical attack. Somehow, being loyal to humans he had learned their trick of a clean crime. Torture, harassment, continuous gnawing at the soul kills without you being prosecuted and charged for a murder. Here, too he believed he would walk free after a good marathon of 10kms. Not just walk free, but also walk with pride for sending this catty offender to heavens. 

But heavens had different plans which none of the rotating bodies could devise. The city chasing its dreams had no place of mercy or time for fleeing animals. One dumb animal under one wheel was the karma of the dead and the karam of the living wise behind the wheel. 

Who and how was not important, yet both succumbed to the chase. 

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trividham narakasyedam dvaaram naashanam-aatmanaha kaamah krodhastathaa lobhas-tasmaad-etat-trayam tyajet

Baba Kallu delivered his enigmatic summons to the cursed souls who seeked divine intervention. The prisons of hell had turned him into a follower of The Gita. Mini sat in rapt attention listening to the mystic nature of metamorphosis.

Baba Kallu explained the verse, " Three gates of hell lead to the soul's destruction, and they are Desire, Anger and Greed,  Therefore, abandon these three." He affectionately looked at Mini, what he did to her in the worldy affairs was his duty as the warrior of his clan. Today, what he did for everyone seeking solace was his responsibility. Responsibility towards fellow suffers. 

He continued his holy discourse, "Chase your responsibilities more than your duties. Duties are outward compulsions performed in expectation of a desire to be fulfilled. Desires are never ending and so its chase. Responsibilities are inward springs of self realizations, of commitments without expectations of rewards. Chasing rewards is tiring, chasing upraisals is consuming. Stop, look around, breathe for a moment of what is achieved without pondering over what has to be achieved. Look where your chase has landed you in. Remember, life is a sojourn and not the final destination. Enjoy it without running behind goals and targets like headless chickens. Today my target is at my feet but I'm a headless wandering soul. Was the chase worth it?"

Baba Kallu closed his eyes as a pristine light shone over him. Mini meowed 

"Vaishnav janto pir parai jane de... "