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.