Myth of the moth

This morning, after waking up I immediately noticed a moth outside our bedroom window.

I was intrigued. It was raining heavily outside yet it still rested peacefully on the window. It was gone within minutes. But the moth's arrival reminded me of 2 specific stories I was told.

First story was told by my late neighbour. According to that story, goddess Lakshmi visits our homes in form of a moth. Whenever such moths are seen, we should offer kumkum turmeric and bow our heads. Goddess Lakshmi will bless us with wealth and happiness.

Another story was very different from the first one. A colleague told me that our ancestors often visit us in form of moths. They stay in our homes for a couple of days to see whether we are flourishing in our lives. Then, they disappear in thin air. We never see them coming inside our homes or leaving our homes. 

Both stories were astonishing. However, there is a similarity. Both stories depict the moths as outwardly and holy. Both stories tell us to respect the moths. Both stories consider them to be auspicious. This tells us that our Sanatan culture always respected all lives. We respect the nature, animals, plants, and even insects. We are deeply connected to the nature, AS WE SHOULD.