Question

Describe how Gungaram's superstitious practices lead to his death.

Answer 1

GUNGA RAM & THE KALANAG:
Introduction: Khushwant Singh, an editor, essayist,
novelist, journalist, M.P. is a versatile writer in English.
His first book "The Mark Of Vishnu and Other stories"
was published in London in 19501950. This story is about
a superstitious Brahmin servant in a household, where
the children constantly ridicule his beliefs.
The Superstitions: Gunga Ram was an illiterate full
of superstitions. He loved all forms of life as sacred
creations of God. He used to smear a V-mark on his
forehead with sandalwood paste everyday. He placed
a saucer full of milk every night, near the snake pit
next to the wall. He believed firmly that as long as he
offered milk to the snake, it would not bite anyone in
the house.
The Capture of the Snake: The children of the
house did not believe in superstitions of Gunga Ram.
One day after heavy rains, the children saw the black
cobra sitting in a open patch on the lawn. Armed with
bamboo sticks, they captured it without damaging its
hood. They put it in a biscuit tin and tied the lid with
a cord.
The irony: Gunga Ram unaware of the actions of the
children, placed a saucer of milk for the snake. The
next morning, the saucer was full of milk and that
disturbed the Brahmin. The children took the snake to
school and handed over to the teacher. When he untied
the cord, the snake sprang out in fury. The children
stood up on the desks and shouted hysterically. It tried
to escape through the exit door. But, Gunga Ram stood
there and placed a saucer of milk as apology. He bowed
and asked for forgiveness. But as an irony, the snake
bit him several times on his head and disappeared into
a gutter.
Conclusion: Gunga Ram the pious poor Brahmin
collapsed in agony. There were little drops of blood
on his forehead. Below that was the V mark where
the black cobra bit him. "The Mark of Vishnu" is the
irony behind the story.