Mumbai is…… a graveyard. A city that feeds, creates and destroys, cancerous in its intent, hollowing out its victim till what remains is nothing more than an empty shell. Feeding on the hopes of millions, creating hope with the lure of fortune and fame, and destroying hope with the ease of a breath. All because she can. The only city that makes Gods of some and walking corpses of others.
Mumbai is……a favourite prostitute. Seducing you with the faintest drop of her pallu. Showing you enough to rekindle the nostalgia of an ex-lover or your first time even. Gushing your brain with the pheromones of status and wealth so you lose focus and invest everything you have in her. She obliges and makes you feel like you are the only man in her life. Later you wake up and from the corner of your eye, you see the afternoon sun catch her nose ring as she playfully chides her next victim, a practised routine you know all too well. You reach for your wallet and realise the damage done….you don’t have enough money to get back home and your suitcase has been stolen. The train whistle blows and the realisation sets in….. you are stuck here with her for a while yet.
Mumbai is……the Goddess. Violent, swift and terrible, unforgiving of the insolent, compassionate to those she deems worthy. She wears the remnants of her victims around her neck and her fangs gnash away at the desires of all who hope. Yet still in droves they come to pay their respects, hoping the mother, THEIR mother will turn. That the compassion that is akin to a mother will be showered on them as it has occasionally on others. But the Goddess is merely a harbinger for the ocean of Samsara that all are obliged to float on. The tides of the ocean however turn in one direction only and Sukh doesn’t ordinarily follow Dukh in these parts. Yet she will still welcome you with open arms and her tongue will stick out as a cautionary reminder of her nature, so heed her warning …… “Welcome to Mumbai, leave your egos, morals, hopes at the door, and take whatever prasad is given”.
-n-
