An Extramundane Worship

CONQUEST OF DEATH 30 1

(An Extramundane Worship)2

It was a festival time, Diwali vacation to be precise. On that auspicious occasion i.e. Laxmi-Poojan (worship of the goddess of wealth), clad in ochre silken attire I was about to begin the pooja (worship). At that moment my telephone rang.3

Having listened patiently to the narration of the caller, my wife told him,4

“He is about to begin the pooja.” 5

“Please convey my message to him and request him on my behalf to call me back,” said the caller to her.6

She conveyed his message to me.7

I immediately changed my religious attire, wore a formal dress, caught a cab and rushed to his house.8

He was a medical representative in a reputed pharmaceutical company. He visited me frequently. Soon we had become good friends. For a better opportunity, he had left the company but our friendship had continued. 9

Seeing me at his home within minutes, he was stunned.10

“Doc, you were busy performing Laxmi-Pooja. I don’t think you have finished the ritual. I never intended to disturb you. I am afraid you left it undone. I am extremely sorry…,” he was embarrassed.11

“To me, the worship of the patient is far too worthier than the ephemeral, mundane worship of the idol of the goddess of wealth.” I said, “What is the problem with your mother?”12

“Doc, she gets convulsions repeatedly. During the last half hour, she had three spells of convulsions. She has been frothing at the mouth, with stertorous breathing, and restlessness. Now she is unconscious,” he replied.13

She was a case of rheumatoid arthritis. Her deformities were advancing. She was crippled and bedridden. 14

Now she was craving for air. Her lips and nails became livid. As I was examining her, she developed convulsions. I injected anti-convulsants. 15

Alas! Fifteen-twenty minutes later she again started developing convulsions.16

“Status-epilepticus... She needs admission in a well equipped hospital. We won’t be able to manage her at home.” I told my friend.17

“Very well! We will be guided by your advice.” he said.18

Soon we shifted her to a hospital.19

I narrated the history to the attending physician. He started the necessary treatment; gave oxygen therapy. 20

The lividity of her lips and the nails disappeared. She regained consciousness. Soon she became stable.21

“Most of her troubles are over. To find out the cause of her convulsions, we need to investigate her further. Then only we will be able to treat her properly and eradicate or control her affliction for long.” I said.22

“What has to be done has to be done. We will do it.” said my friend.23

“She is quite stable. May I take your leave now?” I asked my friend.24

“Thank you very much sir! Your words: ‘the worship of a patient is far too worthier than the ephemeral, mundane worship of the idol of the goddess of wealth’ are deeply imprinted on my mind. I will never forget them” he said.25

On that emotional mood, I parted.26

A TRUE STORY IN REAL LIFE 27

A DRAMA IN MY LIFE!! 28

DR. HEMANT VINZE29