The main reading that stood out to me this week was the story of Kaliya, the snake. I think it’s powerful that in this variation, unlike many others, the snake is let free to return to the ocean with its family. This draws out the overarching message of humbleness (regarding the snakes’ ability to admit that it was wrong) and forgiveness in that the man didn’t slay the sea serpent. A powerful quote that I was attracted to from this portion was that, “Destruction becomes the catalyst for creation” (Penguin, page 5). This part stood out to me because it also reflects the relationship between the people and the snake in that they broke out into this huge battle (destruction) that resulted in a relationship in which the snake later protected the people and river. The battle ultimately resulted in a mutually beneficial relationship built on respect, another prominent theme across merpeople stories. I think there are also a couple of real-life applications from this reading, like the pollution of the snake rendering the water useless for the people and their livestock, which ultimately was a problem solved by a confrontation with a water being. More importantly, when the snake says, “I am not at fault in this matter, Acyuta, for it is you who pour fourth and absorb the world; classes, forms, and natures […]” (Penguin, page 8), the serpent is drawing attention to the anthropogenic views being imposed upon the world. Not too long ago the world didn’t have humans, and all other beings freely roamed the earth. What I believe the serpent is trying to say is that we (as humans) have a responsibility to respect nature and the environments around us and to live in unison, opposed to being in opposition with the beasts that inhabit the same lands as us.