Jogini : A fight for honour

Chp 1:- The beginning Is Only The End

       Dwarka Tirumala also known as Chinna Tirupati which means small temple, is situated on the West Godawari river in Aitareya Brahmana (Andhra Pradesh). It is surrounded by the seven peeks of the Seshachalam hill ranges. Our village deity is Lord Venkateshwara. I speak Telegu, the state language of Aitareya Brahmana. I'm thirteen years old and I believe that this is the best time of my life. Being dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara was of great honour to me and my Kutumbam (family).

Today is my Pendlikoothuru (haldi) ritual , wherein oil and turmeric would be applied on me. Amma (mother) made me sit down and applied the paste of sandlewood and turmeric on my face, arms and legs.

"Amma," I called out to her in a low voice. "is Lord Venkateshwara going to love me as his wife?"

"Yes Urvashi." she replied with a smile.

I was to be married to Lord
Venkateshwara by my family. I belonged to the lowest cast that is the, Shudras. My father used to clean the village and my mother used to take care of me and my younger sibling, Pachaimani, my brother.

"Urvashi, you will always be happy being Lord Venkateshwara's wife. He won't leave you." smiled amma.

"Amma will I meet Kithur?" I asked

" Yes."

Kithur was my apta mitru (best friend), she had been dedicated to the Lord  just a week ago and said that life was beautiful in the temple. I was pleased that my husband would be divine and I would be his earthly wife.

My nanna (father) came and looked at me with tears in his eyes.

"Nanna please don't cry, nothing will happen to me." I reassured with a smile.

"Urvashi, we cannot meet you after you become a jogini." said amma.

"But why amma?" I asked with a frown.

"Because you will eternally belong to Lord Venkateshwara." replied amma brushing her tears away.

"Urvashi," called out my ammamma (grand mother).

"Avunu?" (yes) I asked.

" Tomorrow you'll only belong to your swami." (husband)

"Ammamma, can't I even meet you'll ?"I asked.

" No." she shook her head.

I sat down on the floor, sad and frightened. I didn't want to leave my Kutumbam but I had no choice.

"Amma," I called out to my mother. "why am I being dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara?"

"Because your nanna kept an oath saying that if I got well after giving birth to your chelli (younger sister) then he would dedicate you to the temple." she replied.

" Will I be happy ?"I asked.

"Yes." she replied with a smile.

"Urvashi, come on now." signaled ammamma.

Amma and ammamma took me to the courtyard and made me sit on a wooden ledge and began pouring milk and water on my head. I sat with my palms joined and eyes shut.

The next day ....

"Urvashi, wake up." said amma shaking me by my shoulder.

"Oh vaddu (no) amma." I mumbled pulling the quilt over my head.

"Urvashi today's your wedding." said amma coming close to my ear.

I immediately got up, with excitement etched in my eyes.

"How can I forget amma !" I exclaimed patting my forehead.

Amma and ammamma dressed me up in a red saree and heavy jewelry, which was gifted to me by the pundit's in the temple.
I began my long walk from my small house uphill to the temple which was gloriously decorated with drapes and sweet smelling flower's.

The entire village followed me singing traditional hymns followed by blessings.

Once I reached the temple I was made to sit for the yagyas.

" Take seven steps around the idol of Lord Venkateshwara."ordered the pundit.

I got up from my place and walked seven times around the idol of Lord Venkateshwara. As I took the steps around the idol, I promised to be dedicated to my 'swami' (husband). I would serve him with all my love and respect.

Then I bent down and touched my hairline to plate of kunkuma (vermillion)placed near the feet of Lord Venkateshwara.
My hairline was a deep red and now I was my divine Lord's wife.

"Urvashi from now on you are jogini. A daasi who will serve her swami with complete dedication."said Rajguru Venkata, a middle aged man.

"Avunu."

"Your name will no longer be Urvashi but Chandramukhi, which means, face like the moon."said another pundit.

"Avunu."

I liked the name Chandramukhi rather than Urvashi which ment 'apsara'.

"Chandramukhi you are not allowed to meet or interact with your parents at any cost. You will live in the temple with the other jogini's."said a pundit.

"Avunu."

I hugged my amma, ammamma, nanna and my siblings for one last time. I sobbed uncontrollably until my eyes were swollen red. I would never see my kutumbam again. Now, I purely belonged to Lord Venkateshwara. I'm his wife and I have to serve my lord with all my heart and strength.

The ways and life style of a jogini would be thought to me by the other jogini's staying with me.

I was shown my room, a richly decorated cubicle with intricate carvings of elephants and peacocks. A king sized bed awaited me to one side of the huge room. I threw myself on the bed and drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow would be a new day in my married life.

Here begins Chandramukhi ' s new life as a jogini aka devdasi. Will her life be the way it looked on the outside or was there a dark and bitter truth behind the life of a devdasi ? I would like all of you'll to put yourself in Chandramukhi 's place and see the trials in her life as yours. I know if you'll do this, you'll will be able to experience what Chandramukhi goes through and you'll will also enjoy the book much better. Don't forget to vote, comment and share!
Thank you !