Devi Kamakhya's Grace

The bride made her way from her room towards the 'mandap', the place where ceremoniously she would leave her childhood and innocense behind. Being a girl who just some months ago hit her puberty, all by Goddess Kamakhya's grace is all ready to use her womb for the pious reason of rearing and upbringing her own family. The early an innocent womb is bound for the legit use, the better. Otherwise who knows when such an important asset of womanhood become punk due to untamed adolescence, naive desires or become an instrument of power play or unsolicited revenge against the family. Villagers with all graceful intent to bless the couple for a happy married life forever have vouched up and enjoying the occasion. The crowd is certainly mesmerized by the arrangements and the shimmer of the function. Indeed a huge amount has been spent by the bride's father which is so obvious as at last he can do this much for his precious princess being the protective father he is.... Isn't it?

The bride came and sat beside the groom. She was all happy as she was told puberty is the sign of 'Devi's' grace and by marriage her womb will become all pure to receive heavenly blessings throughout her life. Just when her innocent self was weaving all dreams of her happy life in a well off family a sound of siren went off, a group of brown- khakhi claded bodies came into the view converting happy faces into a confusing frown followed by the shocked expressions. The bride being a child was still trying to decipher the scene in front of her when apparently she noticed her parents and to be in- laws being arrested. The groom and the bride were taken in the protective custody and the cries were being heard. The bride still trying put some sense in herself suddenly felt aghast by the realisation that police put bad people in bad prison. But her parents are not bad then why? She tried to reach in her mother's hold, get engulfed in her embrace but it seems impossible. The fear of loosing something precious started clouting her mind culminating into black beads in front of her eyes leading her into darkness.

Her eyes opened and she found herself facing a white ceiling, the fan there slowly making rounds. She moved her pupil to adjust to the light while trying to grasp the surroundings. She noticed her presence in a small room with white plain walls and a side table on her right with a jug of water placed on it. Just when the unfamiliarity of the surroundings started creeping whthin her the door opened and a lady graced in with a white coat over her sareee and a stethoscope around her neck. In a little while the girl comprehended that the lady with kind eyes and a sweet smile in front of her is a doctor. As the doctor reached near her a question slipped out of girl's mouth as a mere mumble. "Why, why am I here ?" The doctor astounded at the sudden question quickly composed herself and kindly stroking her head asked, "how are you feeling dear ? Are you feeling fine?" The girl nodded in affirmation. Looking at the questioning eyes the doctor said " don't worry consider me as your friend. Your parents are safe in the police station and I will take you to meet them. "Police. Why?" The girl asked. My parents did not do anything wrong then why. The girl's eyes teared up at the possible agony of her parents. The doctor's heart melted seeing the tears and soon the girl was taken in a compassionate hug. "Shh. Just calm down. Everything will be fine..just calm down". Patting the girl's back she said. Then she looked into the girl's eyes and said, will you like to come with me somewhere? I want to show you something and beleive me everything will be fine." Unintentionally the girl nodded in positive with a sense of relief and belief adorning her eyes. Doctor held girl's hand firmly leading her in a corridor. The feets stopped in front of a door. The door was pushe

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d open with the girl finding herself in front of many cribs with infants lying therein. The doctor took her to one of the cribs where an infant was sleeping. Looking at him the doctor asked, " do you know that an infant of his age can survive only on mother's feed ? " The girl nodded while adding "yes I know. I remember when my friend's brother was this small he used to have only mother's feed. Once we gave him some curry from our food as he was hungry and after eating curry he fell ill. We were very badly scolded by the elders." She reminisced the incident with a sad pout. The doctor knelt before the girl and cupping her face she explained just like an infant body is not aligned to have the curry similarly your age, body and mind are not prepared to bear a big responsibility called marriage. Everything and every instance in life is suited at a certain time and can be accomplished through some physical mental and emotional capacity. So to be married first you have to develop yourself with good strength and capability till a certain age

and then only you will be able to handle the responsibility of a married life. You just can't play with your friends if you have a weak body. Isn't it ?" The girl bobbed her head up and down in understanding and she looked at the infant who was awake now trying to adjust his eyes to the surrounding after being out of the womb. She then looked at the doctor and asked, "so what should I do now to become that much strong?" The doctor stroked her hair smoothly and with a soft smile said , "you have to play, have loads of fun in your life, remain care free, study a lot, eat healthy and develope yourself into an independent identity. Then only you will become eligible for marriage." The girl nodded her head in understanding but a sudden cute frown adored her and the confusion came out in the form of words. " But my mother told me that Goddess Kamakhya curse those girls whose womb do not produce children for a very long time." The doctor's head suddenly started spinning with anger at the fearsome relasation that how brutaly a blooming flower had been attempted to be crumbled into piecies with no chance of further repair by her own mother. She first composed herself and then holding the child's shoulder she said, "no Goddess Kamakhya will not curse because she is none other than Devi Sati wife of Lord Shiva.She herself was a strong, intelligent and educated woman who helped everyone very kindly. And because she was beautified with these qualities she is respected by everyone including Lord Shiva and her womb is worshipped in Kamakhya temple as a strong symbol of love, kindness, strength and fertility. And as an ardent follower you have to inculcate these qualities within yourself so that you can receive her grace by making her happy. Will you do it dear?" The girl's eyes started shimmering with surprise and proud and she excitedly answered, "yes I will be like Devi Sati strong,kind and all developed."

The doctor kissed her head and said " your parents despite knowing that you need proper development, tried to snatch your childhood which is wrong. So for sometime they will remain with police uncle where they will be consulted that their act was wrong. They will not be harmed. And when they will understand they will come to you. And you my girl will live and study in an institute that have been arranged for the children of your age for their development. Is that okay with you?"

The girl considered the offer and finding it attractive she agreed. " Yes aunty I will do as you are saying. My mother once told me that Goddess Kamakhya brings prosperity and happiness. And I Aastha, an ardent follower of Devi will leave no stone unturned to make her happy." The girl vowed unknown to the fact that Devi Kamakhya is all there smiling over her graciously.