4. Vengamamba’s Marriage trials

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4. Vengamamba's Marriage trials

 

Krishnaiah and Mangamma let out their feelings to the Head

priest, Peddacharlu. He consoled them and advised them to perform her

marriage. The neighbouring women too suggested the same. That day

only a woman astrologer came to their house. The mother asked when

her daughter would be married.

 

`Her marriage is already performed. It is not an ordinary

marriage. Venkanna Babu is her husband. He will take her to Him.' The

girl was thrilled while the mother was shocked.

 

The parents were forced to think of performing her marriage

at once, though they felt she was too young. Getting an alliance

proved to be a difficult task. One lady straightaway asked, `Will

your daughter lead a family life? We were told she was a devotee.'

 

The father laughed it away. They promised to come but never

turned up. They sent word saying that their son's marriage was

settled elsewhere! To add insult to injury Vengamamba said, `Why do

you see alliances for me. I was married long ago.' Peddacharyulu

consoled them, `Don't worry. Your daughter is very good looking.

Anybody would jump at your alliance. The only problem is the rumours

about her. See that she doesn't step out of the house for just one

month. Everything will be alright.'

 

Theory is different from practice. They could not curtail

the flow of Bhakti in her. It was simply impossible for them.

Krishnaiah has been desperately searching for a boy. Time was moving

on at its regular pace, making Vengamamba grow into a young lady from

a young girl. Youthful appearance added beauty to her physical

features. Her long hair, rosy cheeks, fair complexion were a source

of jealousy to her companions while they were a source of misery for

the mother. Beauty and brains don't go together is the saying. She

wondered why God who created her so beautifully did not give her the

normal brains of any other girl.

 

One day Peddacharyulu brought an alliance. The boy belonged

to Chittoor. He was an educated boy. His gotram was Srivatsasa. The

boy's father spoke warmly to them. Peddacharyulu took care of every

minute detail and settled the marriage. The parents' joy knew no

bounds. They paid a deaf ear to the protests of Vengamamba. The

marriage was performed on a grand gala scale. It looked like the

marriage of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Vengamamba treated God

as her husband and she had to convince herself that the name sake of

God - Venkatachalapathi - was her husband.