Meenakshi - The Woman

 

To all the mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins, friends and the men in our lives who love and support us even though they don’t understand us most of the time…

Every year unfolds a new age, a new awareness, a new adventure. We feel a lot braver than the year before to deal with all that comes our way. Where does this strength come from? Where does this passion to experience life come from?

I ponder over such questions looking out the window seeing everything but looking at nothing. It’s been a few days since my curious thoughts have been screaming for attention. There is no order to the various flashing thoughts. Why is it still cold in Doha? When will my coconut oil unfreeze? Will my daughter write her exams well? Will I meet my loved ones this year? When did I last pray to Vadakunathan? Why is Madurai Meenakshi holding a parrot? Why is she green? Why is she different from the others?

The last couple of questions or rather thoughts are a splash of cold water. I grabbed my phone and like a possessed person, for the next few hours I read endlessly through any bits and pieces I could catch about her. I have had the privilege of visiting her temple more than twice but never felt a bout of curiousness unlike today. The first time my feet touched the temple grounds-The prasadam in the form of adirasam and steaming hot tamarind rice served in brown palm leaves excited me more than walking around trying to understand the rich history. The feel of sitting with your back to one of the countless pillars in the temple while facing the gopuram and sharing the tamarind rice with your best friend held far more value at that point. We both bear the same generous amount of turmeric and vermillion marks on our foreheads while we relish the hand mixed rice. The second time, the same friend and I decided to walk around and landed in the museum amazed at the various figurines dated roughly 2000 years ago. The famous musical pillars did reverberate with the sound in tune to the order of raagas. The huge black stone carved Nandi facing Lord Shiva heard a lot of our prayers and requests before we stepped out.

A few hours later…I look out the same window – No more questions only one thought – What a woman!

So I take this opportunity to let my readers understand a bit about this dynamic woman who ruled, loved and continues to do so. Madurai proudly prospers under her watchful ethereal eyes…..

Meenakshi amman was born to parents who were desperately praying for a boy. The lore says King Pandya was upset but Lord Shiva advised him on treating her and training her in the same manner as he would for a son. “See her as a ruler of the future. Not as a woman or a man! When she is ready to rule, she will like no other” Well when the Lord says, he says and we follow.

At a very small age, she underwent rigorous training in warfare, academics, art & culture that Madurai is so famous for. Her adolescence found her attending cabinet sessions with father and his ministers. She watched his moves, watched how he covered every loophole while taking firm decisions, and watched how he never forgot people or their names. In short, her eyes never stopped searching or looking for things that mattered which is revered about till date.

As a matter of divine fact, the devotees believe that if she looks at you she blesses you. Well the point is she looks all over Madurai which means you step into the city or the temple (even closer!), you are blessed by her.

As I read further on how she went about conquering her way through North India establishing her might as a ruler which in itself was a deviation because it was always the other way around, my eyebrows just kept climbing further.

It was when she was on her way to the top of Mount Kailasa , that Lord Sundareshwar ( the handsome form of Shiva- as if he wasn’t already handsome!) knew it was time.  Seeing her army victoriously trekking the mountain, admiring her skilled moves while fighting his closest aide (matching Nandi in combat is no small feat).

Knowing that a few more minutes late and he would lose Nandi,  the Lord Sundareshwar finally presents himself to her, “Hello there young fighter, you have conquered quite a bit but any further up are the skies above”. Upon seeing him, her warrior eyes swiftly change to respect, admiration and a never before smile that lights both their hearts. Her plan was to conquer Mount Kailasa, instead she conquered the heart of its rightful owner. This godly moment where the reincarnation of Devi Parvati and Shiva lock eyes at the top of Kailasa is content worthy of a 1000 verse poem in itself.

The rest is of course a celebration till date because they fell in love and the natural choice to get married was welcomed with great aplomb. She preemptively warns him of her over protective brother Alagar (form of Lord Vishnu) but he smiles and shrugs which makes her wonder if he knew Alagar already.

Everyone knew her first love was Madurai and its people, which is why post marriage she continued to rule and the kingdom continued to prosper under her watchful eyes.

So who is she? An unconventionally beautiful woman, an owner of breathtaking eyes, a fierce leader, a just ruler, a vibrant personality who is omnipresent in the city forever.

Where did she get her courage from? There is only one answer- From Within!

How did the society accept her as a ruler? – The acceptance began from within that leadership and might have nothing to do with one’s gender. Talent resides in everyone. Fearlessness is a choice. So when one looks at oneself as a powerhouse of intelligence, dynamism and compassion – the world will as well!

But why was she green? Why is she holding a parrot? Why was her lucky number 3? Do Sundareshwar & Alagar meet? How did she convince Sundareshwar to stay with her in Madurai?

 I leave that for the next time. The random thoughts flash again …When will I have the privilege of seeing her in a freshly minted green Kancheevaram silk saree? This is of course my promise to buy her one. My definite promise to her arose while waiting in the queue to see her. I could see from afar that she was dressed in yellow silk with her famous diamond nose ring shining bright. For a second I thought she would look resplendent in green as well. Call it divine intervention call it an ethereal moment, call it what you wish but when it was my turn to pray I smiled at the priest and he in turn called me in and said, “Amman wants you to have this.” He thrust something in my palm; I opened mine to see 2 green glass bangles.

I dedicate this women’s day to my green goddess who blazed her trail to set an example for all of us. Her courage and go getter spirit was her choice and so can it be ours.