‘There are no Bhoots, Pisachas or Vetal, Bro!
There are no curses from Gods and Devis either,’ he laughed. His laugh echoing within the dome of the ancient temple. His face was pleasant, receding hairline from a forehead that lacked melanin in several patches. The wandering sanyasi acknowledged his statement and smiled. ‘Why do you say so?’
‘The locals have all types of superstitions and stories. In the last 15 years, I have gone to places where people talk about beliefs and curses and prove them wrong.’ He beamed, clearly proud of his achievement. ‘And has your efforts ensured that the locals no longer follow their beliefs?’ the sanyasi asked, with genuine wonder.
‘Hmmm. Common sense is not so common,’ the man moaned. I hear that the locals still don’t go to the devi temple after midnight, for fear of a curse. They still apply turmeric for a termite mound that they call a snake mound.’ He shook his head.


‘Will your children follow your life’s work,’ the sanyasi asked softly. The man’s smile dimmed a little. ‘My wife has not been able to conceive,’ he said and then turned to distractedly look through his backpack. ‘I have to go now. I am going to this little temple of Kali in the outskirts of this village.’ He said as he waved to the thoughtful sanyasi. ‘What do you plan to do there?’ asked the slim man clad in saffron.
The Bhoot hunter laughed. The locals say that the Kali is very powerful there and if you enter her temple after 6pm, you will vomit blood.’ He laughed.
The Sanyasi sat down quietly as the man left in his jeep. A local asked, ‘Should you tell him swami?’ The Sanyasi shook his head. ‘If a man does not know that he is cursed and lives half a life, how does one make him see?’
2 years later, the Bhoot hunter was walking out of a hospital when he met the Sanyasi. ‘What are you doing here? You usually are around temples?’
‘Mumbai pollution got to me too swami. I have TB, so am getting treated.’ ‘What about your work,’ the sanyasi asked. ‘I still need to take 3 months of medication, then I will be on my way.’
‘Hope the Devi is always with you,’ the man blessed him.