Seetha Kalyanam Vaibohame

Thalagani mandhiram

The girls sat down on the steps trying to catch their breath. Jayanthi was eager to learn about Seetha's married life bad about how she was being treated by her in-laws. It was very important for Jayanthi to know as she had her own news to share. Seetha was more than anxious to share about her husband. After taking a couple of minutes, Jayanthi held Seetha's hand saying, "Seetha, nee illama naan romba kashta pattutten theriyuma? Dhenam rathiri ne enakku ezhudhina letter a vasichutu (read) thaan thoonguven. Unnoda pesina madiri irukkum." (I missed you so much. Every night I would read the letter you wrote to me. It felt as if I was talking to you.) Seetha smiled fondly, "Naanum Unna pathi romba nenachuppen dee. Indha oru maasam naan inge irukkara varaikkum Nammal dhenamum paathukalam seriya?" (I too thought about you a lots. Let's meet everyday when I am here) Jayanthi smiled and nodded.

Jayanthi quickly said, "Seri nee unnoda pukkatha pathi sollu dee. Iruttardhu kulla sollu illana enga amma kittendhu naan vaangi kattikkanum." (tell me about your in-laws. Say before it gets dark or else I have to listen to my mom yell) Seetha smiled and said, "Naan enna di sollardhu. Idha pillaiyar ku naan nejamave chella kozhandai that's theriyumo. Enakku Avara kondu vandhu thandhirukkar paaru. Ennoda aathukaarar sakshat idha Seetha oda Sri Ramar thaan" (Where do I start. I have to thank pillaiyar for giving me a husband like Arun. He is just like Seetha's Ram.) then she thought for a moment and quickly nodded, "Achacho Sri Ramar illai. Sri Ramar Seetha va vanavasathukku anupitaar Ana ennoda aathu kaarar oru maasam kooda ennavittu irukka mudiyadhu nu sonaar. Avar enna thanga thattula vachu paathukaraar". (No no Ramar sent Seetha away but my husband can't even stay a month away from me. He literally holds me in a special place) Jayanthi smiled and sighed, "Edhukkum gavanama irundhukko dee. Enga amma solluva aambalaigalukku moham muppadhu naalaam aasai aravadhu naalaam. Kozhandhai porandha aparam namma thirumbi kooda paarka maatallam."(Be careful as my mother says that men's lust lasts 30 days and love lasts 60 days. Once you have a baby they won't care anymore)

Seetha frowned and said, "Po dee. Appidi ellam onnum illai. Enakku avara pathi nannave theriyum. Avar eppovum ippidi thaan iruppar." (He is not like that. He will remain the same always) Jayanthi nodded, "Seri, seri, adha vidu. Enga amma edhayuvudhu ippidi thaan olareendu iruppa. Nee sollu unnoda maamiyar unkitta eppidi irukka? Aparam Madras pattanam eppidi irukku?" (Tell me how your mother in law treats you and how is Madras)Seetha excitedly shared about how Madras is huge compared to her agraharam. She told her about their beautiful home, the trees and flowers, the Madras pillaiyar, the anjaneyar kovil, Saroja mami etc. Seetha then told her about Rohini and how she wanted to marry Arun. Jayanthi joined her in scolding Rohini, "Appidiya? Enakku andha Rohini ya pidikave illlai dee. Edhukku unnoda aambadayana nee kaikulla pottu vachukko. Ennoda mama ponnu Visalakshi a unakku theriyume. Avalukku pona varsham kalyanam aachu. 10 e maasathula oru aan kozhandhai porandhudhu. Naanga paarka poirundhappo Aval enkitta sonna idha madiri edho thalagani mandhiramaame. Adha pottu aambadayana kai kulla pottu vachukanamaam. Appidina ennadhu dee?" (I don't like that Rohini either. You really need to keep your husband in your control. My cousin Visalakshmi had a baby exactly 10 months after marriage. She told me that there is a pillow chant which will help you keep him with you and not waver. What is that?)

Seetha thought for a moment, "Appidiya? Adhu enna mandhiram? Enakku Yaarume solli tharaliye? Shanthi akka kum Meena akkakum theriyum pola irukke yenna avalukkum kalyam aagi pathe maasathula kozhandha porandhuduthu. Innike naan amma kitta andha mandhiratha paduchukkaren. Nammal aathula velakethi slogam sollarche adhayum sollanum pola irukku. Adhukku thaan avar thalaila adichundaaro?" (I don't know what that is. No one taught me. Shanthi akka and Meena akka probably know because they too had their babies pretty soon. I wonder if we have to say this chant in front of God. Is that why he smacked his head?) Jayanthi couldn't help asking, "Eppo dee thalaila adichundaar?" (When did he do that) Seetha said, "Avar kozhandai eppidi porakkum nu theriyuma nu kettar. Naan seriya thaan dee badhil sonnen aana avar thalaila adichundu ponaar. Oru vela rendu perum serndhu mandhiram sollanamo?" (He asked me if I knew how a baby was made and I told him the right answer, may be we are supposed to chant the prayers together) Both girls looked at each other wondering.