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A Thukkiri's story

Discussion in 'Stories (Fiction)' started by aruna_077, Mar 14, 2010.

  1. aruna_077

    aruna_077 Senior IL'ite

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    There was a girl named Lakshmi, who lived in a predominantly Brahmin society (Agraharam). A very pretty child and only daughter in a Brahmin family. She had immense interest in music and started learning music from a very young age. She was loved by all her neighbors for her charm and helping nature.

    When she turned twelve, her father got her married. Few months after her marriage, Lakshmi's husband passed away. She was then sent back to her parents by her in-laws, who thought that their son had died because of Lakshmi's fate.

    Days passed away. Everyone had forgotten the fateful incident. The neighbors now treated Lakshmi the same way as they used to before her marriage. One evening, a mami in the neighbourhood asked Lakshmi to put Kolam (Rangoli) in front of her house. Lakshmi obeyed. Apparently, Lakshmi's father who was sitting close with a newspaper in hand was watching all this. He was quite an orthodox man. He could not accept what he was seeing in front of his eyes. And, the same moment, he passed away with a heavy heart.
    The world now gave a new name to Lakshmi - "Thukkiri" meaning luckless girl.
    Unable to bear all these unfortunate happenings in a row, Lakshmi's mother also passed away after a few months.

    Now Thukkiri was all alone. She realized she is very unlucky for everyone. So, she decided to lock herself in the house. She held on to her firm decision for years. (But how long could she keep God’s love away from her doors??)

    A boy named Raju in the neighborhood helped Lakshmi every time she needed anything. He would get all essential household items for Lakshmi and give them to her through the backdoor (those days there used to be always two entries to every house - one from the front and one in the backyard).

    Thukkiri surrendered herself to God. She gave up all desires. She realized she can only defy her unluckiness by devoting herself to God. So, she started chanting "Rama Rama Rama Rama..." with complete love and devotion. Whenever she finished chanting "Rama" a thousand times, she would make a dot with kumkum (vermillion) on the walls of her house. When she finished a lakh, she drew a line below the dots. Therefore she kept a count of the number of times she has chanted "Rama Rama...".

    The young children in the neighborhood often heard Thukkiri singing in the backyard and soon, they became friends. She started teaching music to her new friends at her home. The children's parents were surprised to see their kids singing so well. When asked how they sang so well, they said "Thukkiri taught us".

    Also, it became known to all that Thukkiri has got red dots all over the walls of her house.
    A few years later, the girls who learnt music from Thukkiri got married. They used to always pay her a visit when they came to see their parents. One day, a married girl confided in Thukkiri that her husband is terribly sick. Thukkiri wanted to help but did not know how. She had nothing but the “Rama” Namas. She decided to give away "Rama" Namas to cure the girl's husband. She wiped away 5 lakhs of Namas from her wall and prayed to God for the recovery of the girl's husband.

    The girl came back the next day to thank Thukkiri. Soon, the story of Thukkiri's Rama Namas spread in the whole village. Unknown people started coming to see Thukkiri with their problems. Thukkiri would always give away Namas to help the people. And she kept on chanting "Rama Rama…." and refilled the walls with the divine and beautiful red dots. She never said 'No' to anyone. Still she was known as a ‘Thukkiri’.

    Twenty years passed away. Thukkiri came to be known as Thukkiri mami. She would help other ladies in the neighborhood in preparing Bakshanams(snacks & savouries). She helped others in every way possible. Yet, the tag ‘Thukkiri’ was still a part of her name.
    One evening, an old woman came to see Thukkiri. She pleaded Thukkiri to save her dying husband, who was suffering from a very high fever for last three days. Thukkiri gave away 10 lakhs of "Rama" Namas to the old lady. The next day, the old lady came again with tears and said that her husband's condition was not improving. Thukkiri wiped away all the dots from her house and prayed to God for the old man's health. The next morning, the old lady came once again and said that her husband has very less time left and that only Thukkiri can save him now. Thukkiri went along with the old lady to see the old man. The doctor said there had been no improvement in the old man's condition and that he is living his last few breaths. Thukkiri came out of the house and went straight to Lord Ganesha's temple right in front of the old woman's house. She challenged God that He has to restore the health of the old man. She vowed that she will not go from the temple until the old man recuperates. She sat in the temple and started chanting "Rama Rama...". She did not take even a drop of water. The Sun had now set. Thukkiri was still chanting "Rama Rama...". Finally, the Gods smiled at Thukkiri. The old woman came running to the temple and screamed "Miracle! My husband has come back from death."

    Thukkiri whole-heartedly thanked Lord Ganesha for listening to her prayers. This incident made Thukkiri famous in even the neighboring villages.

    One day, a very famous and renowned saint was passing by this village along with his devotees. When the saint heard about the tales of Thukkiri, he started towards her house. When Thukkiri heard that the Saint himself has come to see her, she had no other choice but to open the front doors. This was the first time she had opened the front door of her house after her mother's death.

    When the saint looked at the Kumkum filled walls, he was very pleased. And then he suddenly announced that he would be conducting SitaKalyanam(God’s marriage) at her house after exactly fifteen days; as he could not find a more divine and sacred place than Thukkiri's house for God's marriage to take place. The Saint and his devotees left.
    Thukkiri was happy but at the same time quite nervous about the God's wedding preparations. The neighbors assured her that they would help her in making all the arrangements.

    The whole village now heard the news of God's marriage taking place in Thukkiri's home. They all visited Thukkiri and offered their help. After all, it was an honor for the whole village that the great Saint was conducting God's marriage.

    Thukkiri made all preparations with the help of her neighbors. The whole village was in a festive mood. The next day was the big day.

    Thukkiri had a desire. She wanted to serve fresh Ghee to everyone after the God's marriage during the lunch. But even in the whole village, so much of fresh ghee was not made each day that could feed a hundred people. So, she gave Raju a big earthen pot and asked him to wake up early the next morning, go to another village and buy a pot full of fresh ghee.

    Thukkiri could not sleep the whole night thinking if Raju would bring the Ghee before the lunch time.

    The Sun rose. The time of celebration had come. The ladies started preparing the food. The Saints and the devotees came to Thukkiri's home and began the rituals. The whole village gathered to witness the occasion. The aroma of the food and the sound of Mantras filled the air. The God's marriage took place beautifully. The villagers could not take their eyes off the Gods. The saint asked Thukkiri to sing for the Gods. She could not deny. She sang for the Gods. But, her heart was elsewhere. She was restless. Every now and then, she would step out of the house to see if Raju had arrived. She kept praying to God for Raju to come on time. This was the first time Lakshmi had asked something for herself. Perhaps the only desire of her life.

    The rituals came to an end and it was time for the feast. The ladies started serving food to the Saint and devotees first. At the right time, came Raju. He called "Amma..." standing at the door-step. Thukkiri came running and was delighted to see Raju bring the pot full of Ghee. She thanked Raju and went inside with the pot. She was happy at last. Whole-heartedly, she thanked God and started serving Ghee to everyone.

    A voice called out "Amma..". Thukkiri came out. It was Raju again. Raju said "Amma... Prasadham". Thukkiri asked Raju to wait until the Saint & devotees finish their lunch. She went inside and got busy serving the lunch. Once again, "Amma....". Thukkiri came out in haste and asked Raju to wait for few more minutes. She went inside to attend to the Saint.

    "Amma..........Amma…….".

    Everyone turned to see Raju. Thukkiri was busy serving food to the saint.

    "Amma....Prasadham". Thukkiri came out and said "The saint and the devotees are almost done. I will bring Prasadham now da Kanna."

    Finally, the saint and the devotees finished their lunch. "Amma...", the voice called out.
    Thukkiri came out happily with the Prasadham to find no one at the door. She looks for Raju but he was not there.

    While she was still waiting with Prasadham in her hand, Raju came running hastily and said "Amma... Please forgive me for the delay. Here is the fresh Ghee", and handed over the earthen pot to Lakshmi.

    All the villagers stood in awe. Lakshmi started to cry aloud.

    "Oh Lord! You came to my doorstep and yet this Thukkiri could not give you Prasadham......"

    The Saint who had been watching all this, said “Lakshmi…The God Himself had come to you. You are no more a Thukkiri.”
     
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  2. ganges

    ganges Gold IL'ite

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    Dear aruna

    amazing story. written well. Yes. If we have true bhakthi or love towards god we can achieve anything. Also we cannot asses anybody. Very touching unheard story dear. Thanks for sharing.


    ganges
     
  3. aruna_077

    aruna_077 Senior IL'ite

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    Dear Ganges,

    Thank you for the first feedback.

    You will be surprised to know that this is a true story.

    Love,
    Aruna
     
  4. Soldier

    Soldier Gold IL'ite

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    Hi Aruna!

    Very touching story. Look at the Society - the attitude of the people thinking she was unsuccessful and that is why so many deaths. But the same lady helps each and everyone in the village.

    It is high time, people stop attaching such stigma to females who are widows, issueless etc. and hurting their hearts.

    Such a noble soul but she could not realise that God himself had brought the ghee.

    Thanks for sharing it here.
     
  5. iyerviji

    iyerviji Finest Post Winner

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    Dear Aruna

    Very touching story. I read it at one breadth. Usually I have no patience to read stories. But this one was so touching that I could not take out my eyes from the story. This shows her true bhakthi.

    love
    viji
     
  6. aruna_077

    aruna_077 Senior IL'ite

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    Dear Soldier,

    You are so right.

    Its high time the society changes.

    But sometimes there are people like Lakshmi who are aloof of however the society treats them.
     
  7. aruna_077

    aruna_077 Senior IL'ite

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    Dear Vijima,

    Am glad that you read the story and liked it.

    Thank you!

    -Aruna
     
  8. sharanyadevi

    sharanyadevi Gold IL'ite

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    Awesome story..
    I loved it, infact i have saved it..:)
    Thank you so much for sharing, keep posting...
     
  9. aruna_077

    aruna_077 Senior IL'ite

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    Dear Sharanya,

    I am truly delighted to hear that you have saved this story.

    I could not forget this story when I heard it. It has been in my mind for a very long time.

    Thank you so much for the motivation.

    -Aruna
     
  10. Priesh

    Priesh Platinum IL'ite

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    Hi Aruna,
    amazing story. I loved it.

    Thanks for sharing with us.
     

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