Pashupatinath & Bonus Biscuits to Sheru – A Home Episode
This little episode is from the early 2000s when I used to work as a Career Advisor at Arena Multimedia Academy (now Arena Animation Academy). It was a time of dial-up internet, floppy disks, and a simpler, slower life.
Every evening, the routine was fixed: I’d return home, and my loyal Alsatian, Sheru, would drag himself off the deewan, wag his tail in full joy, receive me like a proper gentleman. After the grand welcome, he’d climb back on the deewan and cast a long, dramatic glance at the biscuit jar – his “signal” that it was time for his 4 biscuits.
Now one day, in office, while browsing through images, I came across a stunning photo of Pashupatinath Temple. It caught my attention instantly. My colleague, the ever-serious system administrator Shashank – whom I affectionately called Shanku – was sitting nearby. I turned my screen towards him.
Photo Source – File:108 Night View Of Pashupatinath Temple.jpg – Wikimedia Commons
Me: “Shanku, look at this! Isn’t it beautiful?”
Shanku (in a very serious tone): “Do you even understand the significance of Lord Shiva in the form of Pashupatinath?”
Me: “No… what is it?”
Shanku: “He’s the Lord of All Animals. He protects them, loves them. And anyone who harms them faces His wrath!”
Me (proudly): “Oh! That’s great! I love animals. I’ve had 14 cats, many parrots, a spitz, and now Sheru, my alsatian!”
Shanku gave me a look. The kind of look staunch Brahmins reserve for Bongs like me.
Shanku (mocking): “Yes, yes. I know how much you love animals… I’ve seen you attack chicken tangris like a starving predator. What kind of Brahmins are you Bengalis, anyway!?”
Me (defensive): “No no… we’re just helping maintain the food chain……”
Shanku: “Food chain!? What nonsense!”
Me: “Yes! You’ve forgotten your school science? Food chain, food web! We have to keep nature in balance.”
Shanku (bursting out laughing): “You really think you have been given the responsibility of maintaining global ecological balance huh – kuch bhi oof!?”
And he walked off still chuckling.
That evening, as I stepped into the house, there was Sheru — tail wagging, full happy mode. As always, I handed him his 4 biscuits. But then, still thinking about Pashupatinath, I told him sweetly:
Me: “Sheru, today you get two bonus biscuits!”
Mom and Dad were watching Bengali serials and overheard me.
Mom (turning her head): “Bonus!? Why? What has Sheru done today to deserve bonus biscuits?”
I grinned and sat down, stroking Sheru’s head.
Me: “I learned today that Lord Shiva is always watching how humans treat animals. He’s Pashupatinath. So, I told Sheru—when Lord Shiva asks you about me, please give me full marks!”
Mom (smiling): “And why only you? Am I not the one who cooks his chicken? My name should be mentioned too!”
And now of course, Dad couldn’t stay out of the conversation. My Mom and Dad were the Yin & Yang of my life!
Dad: “Hello! Why am I not included? Go on, tell Lord Shiva that I am the one who gets meat / chicken from the market!”
Mom (laughing but sarcastic): “Yes, yes, Pitashri Maharaj! Put your father’s name first. After all, he is the head of the family.”
So I rephrased my instructions to Sheru:
Me (very formally): “Sheru Garuda, tell Lord Shiva: I lived in the house of Brigadier A. Gangopadhyay, his wife Anjali, and daughter Aparna. They treated me with love, respect, and gave me chicken and biscuits regularly.”
Dad (interrupting): “Add Indian Army too! I wouldn’t be able to buy chicken if not for the pension they give me!”
Me: “Ohhhkay… so Sheru, please add: Thanks to the Indian Army’s pension, chicken was available on a weekly basis.”
Then, of course, Mom had to strike back. Yin trying to win!
Mom: “Wait! Don’t forget the farmers! The spices I use to cook that chicken – they grow it. They deserve credit too.” (Yin wanted to have the last word…the ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisaan’ mission was being fulfilled in our house! But Yang was not ready to give up yet)
Dad: “And what about truck drivers then? They bring the goods to the shop, don’t they? Add their name also….”
Mom: “See? You always want the last word!”
Me (trying to wind up and stopping Yin-Yang from having an unnecessary argument): “Fine! Let’s settle this once and for all.”
I looked at Sheru, who was now licking the last biscuit crumb.
Me: Garuda (I called him many names actually!) this is how you report us to Lord Shiva :
“Dear Lord Shiva,
This is Sheru, reporting from Earth – a planet where humanity is still holding on to love, food, and wagging tails. I’ve been lovingly cared for by a family known as the Gangopadhyays, residing in Kolkata, supported by the Indian Army, Indian farmers, spice merchants, truck drivers, and a hundred other angels. I am a happy dog. Please grant them bonus blessings.”
And just like that, all three of us burst out laughing. Sheru barked once — maybe in approval!
Then we sat together with tea and snacks, and ended the evening the best way we knew — with family, fun, and waggy tailed Emperor Sheru!
