In the resplendent rays of the sun enveloping the time-honored pathways of the Venkateshwara temple in Srivilliputhur with their radiant warmth, a scene of ethereal enchantment unfolded before the temple pilgrims. Amidst the serene environs, a juvenile girl of six summers pursued a vibrant butterfly with unbridled delight and innocence, her laughter resonating like melodious chimes in the gentle breeze. "Chellam, be cautious," came a solicitous voice, yet her eyes gleamed with undiminished joy as she persisted in her pursuit.
This girl was none other than the cherished offspring of Vishnuchittar. Endowing his daughter with the appellation "Kothai," signifying the bestowal of the earthly goddess, Vishnuchittar nurtured her with tender care akin to Maharaja Janaka's upbringing of the illustrious goddess Sita. Just as Sita brought boundless joy to Maharaja Janaka, so too did Kothai bring immeasurable delight to Vishnuchittar.
Interestingly, this remarkable maiden not only brought joy to Vishnuchittar but also to the denizens of Srivilliputhur. Her celestial smile and captivating eyes, reminiscent of lotus pools capable of ensnaring one's soul, exuded an aura of divine purity. Her laughter, akin to the mellifluous strains of a Veena serenaded by Saraswati herself. Her complexion, reminiscent of the golden hues of dawn, was believed to bestow prosperity upon those who beheld it. Indeed, her visage bore resemblance to that of the moon itself, as if she were the embodiment of lunar radiance.
The townsfolk stood entranced as Kothai's laughter danced upon the breeze, intertwining harmoniously with the distant peals of temple bells. Her vivacious spirit and unbridled curiosity acted as a luminous beacon, captivating all who beheld her, drawing them into the orbit of her carefree demeanor.
As Kothai meandered through the intricately carved pillars and verdant flower gardens adorning the temple precincts, whispers permeated the crowd, echoing tales of her extraordinary affinity with nature and the benevolent aura she emanated.
Venturing into a secluded garden within the temple complex in pursuit of a particularly elusive butterfly, Kothai chanced upon an ancient statue veiled amidst overgrown foliage. This effigy depicted Padmavathi Thayar, renowned for bestowing blessings upon those who steadfastly believed in her divine grace.
Intrigued by the statue's serene countenance and graceful form, Kothai felt an inexplicable allure drawing her closer. With childlike wonder and unwavering faith in her heart, she closed her eyes and murmured her deepest yearning. "Vimalām, Viśvajanīm, Duṣṭim, Dhāritya Ṇāśinīm | Prīti Puṣkarīṇīm, Śāmdām, Śuklamālyāmparām, Śriyam," she intoned. Her words resonated with the wisdom of learned Rishis and Brahmacharinis, for she herself embodied the essence of Vidya Laxmi and Vedavati.
"Pāskarīm, Philvanilayām, Varārōhām, Yaśasvinīm | Vasumdarā, Mudārāṁkām, Hariṇīm, Hemamālinīm," responded a serene voice. Rolling her eyes playfully, Kothai turned around. "Appa, I was just about to convey it!" she protested charmingly. Vishnuchittar chuckled, amusement twinkling in his eyes as he indulged his daughter's whims. The radiance in her eyes seemed to reflect the celestial constellations themselves, an embodiment of cosmic splendor. Vishnuchittar sighed, beholding his daughter's beauty, grace, and intellect, marveling at her divine endowment. "Appa, I beseeched the esteemed goddess for permission to wed her consort!" she chirped gleefully, her eyes crescents of joy akin to those adorning the locks of Umapati.
Vishnuchittar was taken aback! He had not anticipated such a response. His astonishment gradually morphed into apprehension and concern. "Thangame! Such aspirations are not fitting! Only Thirumagal herself is worthy of being consort to Perumal! Forsake this notion, my dear!"
Kothai pouted. "But Appa, you yourself have imparted that Perumal is Bhakthavatsala, and his consort embodies his mercy. She intercedes and seeks forgiveness on our behalf, and in turn, he fulfills our wishes. If my desire is to wed him, will they not grant it?" Vishnuchittar's concern transformed into ire. "That is different! You marrying him is inconceivable! We are mere mortals. You cannot espouse the infallible one. Renounce this idea at once! Complete your devotions and meet me at the corridor near Venkateshwar's Garbhagriha. Today, I shall instruct you in crafting garlands befitting the lord." With that, Vishnuchittar departed swiftly.
Kothai's countenance dimmed, tears welling in her eyes, besmirching her loveliness, as the pristine garland adorning her person became bedewed with her sorrow. She was engulfed in profound melancholy. Her eyes, resplendent as neelam blossoms upon her moonlit visage, shed tears as she ruminated on her father's rebuke. If Kāma beheld her beauty, he would surely cast aside his bow and quiver in awe. Could anyone encounter Kothai's loveliness, akin to a sculpted masterpiece, and depart unaffected? Such a person must surely lack a heart.
Her dear friend Vasanthamālai, who had shadowed her into the temple, concealed herself behind one of the finely wrought pillars adorned with various manifestations of the divine couple, witnessing Vishnuchittar's reproach. Wrought with empathy, Vasanthamālai approached her dear friend, her countenance adorned with precious jewels, and, feeling as if she were submerged in an ocean of tumultuous waves, she hastened to comfort her. Vasanthamālai beheld her friend and tenderly wiped away her tears with her delicate hands, appearing akin to the cool moon alighting upon a lotus blossom. "Thangame," she began, "your garland has lost its luster due to your pure tears. Let us repair to the garden and procure fresh blossoms."
She guided her beloved friend to the garden, where other comely maidens had congregated. At the heart of the garden, a pedestal fashioned in the likeness of a resplendent lotus gleamed with iridescent hues like diamonds, emanating a luminous aura. When flowers were placed upon it, the buds would unfurl into blooms that never withered. If one placed flowers upon the pedestal in devotion to a deity, they would not merely bloom and fade like ordinary flowers but would ascend to the feet of the revered deity. Conversely, should one offer flowers without devotion, they would simply remain inert upon the pedestal. This pedestal, crafted by Indra, the sovereign of heavens, to pay homage to goddess Mahalaxmi upon her emergence from the milky ocean, was designed to confound ascetics who believed that actions bore fruit even when performed without intent, and to uphold those who asserted that actions devoid of intent bore no fruit.
The garden abounded with the blooms of kuravam and marvam flowers, kurundu and kondrai blossoms, thilagam, vahulam, and vetchi plants, adorned with scarlet stalks, flowering punnai trees encircled by narandam and nākam plants, pidavam, talavam, and thorny screwpine trees, kudasam, vediram, and asoka trees with robust trunks, cherunthi blossoms, vengai trees, resplendent shenbaga trees, and ilavam plants resplendent in hues akin to flickering flames. All these floral wonders resembled a tapestry graced with a divine painting.
Sudhamathi and Manimekalai, observing Kothai's despondent mien, inquired of Vasanthamālai. "Our tender-hearted friend Kothai arrived here with a downcast countenance. Could her delicate form have borne the journey unscathed? Would her speech not falter like that of a child? Would her pearl-like teeth not continue to emerge? Would her elongated fish-shaped eyes not extend to her ears? Even Kāma himself would be astonished by her gaze. Why did she depart the temple to come here? Had it been to procure flowers, we could have gladly fetched them for her." Vasanthamālai, bedecked in flowers exuding the essence of honey, felt as though she were confined within a chamber, and relayed, "Our darling recently incurred her father's reprimand. I have brought her hither to lift her spirits." The enchanting maidens gathered around Kothai, their brows furrowed with concern, endeavoring to alleviate her distress.
They directed her attention to the myriad wonders of the garden in an effort to assuage her sorrow.
Sudhamathi showcased the bees, cuckoos, monkeys, swans, peacocks, lotuses, and tāzai flowers. "Behold, Kothai. The gloom in this resplendent garden is dispelled upon the arrival of the radiant sun, gradually receding like shadows. Witness the bees, whose mellifluous hum resonates like musical instruments, and the fireflies, which illuminate the darkness with their gentle glow. Observe how the bees, with their childlike chirping, flit and buzz like a symphony. Note how this verdant sanctuary, shrouded in foliage, obstructs the sun's rays. Contemplate the cuckoos as they flit amidst the verdant boughs, the monkeys frolicking in their midst, and the peacocks performing their splendid dance. O, Kothai, partake in this spectacle."
Manimekalai gently grasped her dejected friend's chin, redirecting her gaze to a flock of resplendent peacocks. "Marvel at the peacock's dance, Kothai. Behold the crystal-clear pond, its surface adorned with emerald moss, upon which a solitary lotus blooms amidst a multitude of flowers, whereupon a majestic swan serenely rests. Witness the graceful peacock upon the pond's edge, performing its exquisite dance for the swan's admiration. Listen to the rooster's raucous crowing, akin to a drumbeat, and the dusky cuckoo's melodious song, serenading the peacock's dance. O Kothai, partake in this spectacle."
Vasanthamali gestured towards the blossoms. "The tāzai flowers are bedecked with the dust stirred by passing chariots, and your countenance, my dear Kothai, resembles the fragrant lotus nestled amongst these tāzai flowers, besmirched by their white pollen. Your delicate hands, tinged with rosy hues, repel the honey-seeking bees, mistaking your visage for a lotus. Observe the splendid blue chichili birds, their plumage akin to shimmering jewels, distressed as they attempt to ensnare the fish amidst the lotus blooms in the pond but find their quarry elusive."They endeavored to distract Kothai, showcasing the wonders of the garden and enveloping her in their affection. Yet Kothai persisted in her resolve. "If floodwaters surge, can they be halted? Such is the nature of love. Once ensnared, it cannot be restrained. Regardless of whether he is a deity or not, my desire remains to wed him," she declared sweetly, her mood buoyed by her friends' efforts to console her.
Her companions, gladdened by her improved spirits, proceeded to gather flowers, fashioning garlands with Kothai's assistance. With the remaining blossoms, they fashioned soft flower balls, mindful of preserving Kothai's delicate hands. They engaged in play until dusk descended upon the temple precincts.
Upon returning to the temple of Venkateshwara, where she resided with her father, Vishnuchittar enveloped Kothai in a warm embrace, akin to a parched wanderer encountering an oasis in the desert. "My chellam, forgive your wretched father. In a moment of anger, I spoke harshly to you, causing undue pain. Daughters are but fragments of the goddess Shakti herself. Forgive me, my Thangam."
Kothai, now adorned with a radiant smile, returned her father's embrace, her arms encircling his neck, reminiscent of lotus garlands adorning the neck of Padmanabha. Her smile gleamed like the gold bestowed by Laxmi herself! Vishnuchittar cradled her delicate form, proceeding towards the sanctum.
In realms beyond the terrestrial plane, a divine figure gazed upon the proceedings below with a smile adorning his countenance. His hair, dark and curly, adorned with fragrant blossoms; his lips, crimson as coral; his teeth, white as pearls; and his luminous eyes, aglow with celestial light. His arched eyebrows and radiant forehead bore semblance to the crescent moon. His resplendent hands, resembling blooming kāndal flowers, rested gently by his side. He chuckled softly, turning his gaze towards the infinite serpent. "Is it not amusing, Adishesha, that she who eternally resides upon my chest frets over my inability to fulfill her desire to wed me?" The serpent, unamused, rolled his eyes. "Lord, cease your jests. I implore you to wed her soon and restore her to Vaikuntha. It languishes in her absence. The sacred tulsi plants and celestial flowers have wilted in her absence. The birds no longer sing, and the lamps remain unlit!" The Lord smiled. "Soon, my Shesha, soon."To him, the fervent entreaties of his eternal consort were both endearing and amusing, a testament to the boundless depths of her love. And though the divine dance of destiny unfolded according to its own inscrutable rhythm, he vowed to fulfill her heart's deepest desire in due time.
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To my astute readers apologies for the extreme delay, I am deeply grateful for your intellectual prowess and unwavering dedication. Your exploration of this literary voyage, unravelling hidden depths and unearthing sublime treasures, has been truly remarkable. As we part ways, may the pen forever grace your souls, crafting wondrous tales to enrich our collective literary tapestry. Farewell, dear readers, and thank you. Kindly provide your due criticisms and improvements regarding the story. I am a novice writer and would appreciate feedback. Also like, vote and comment.