Conversion oath on the Goddess

Joe De Cruz, brilliant Tamil writer talking on his experiences. https://youtu.be/Ciu6N80jOWo

The Parathavais were fishermen & warriors who once ruled the pearl coast from Thiruvananthapuram to Korkai (Thoothukkudi). 500 years back, the Muslims attacked their domain with an eye on enslaving the Parathavais & gaining control over the lucrative pearl trade. The Parathavais fought back with valor. However, the Muslims had guns, which the Parathavais lacked. They lost 2000 warriors.

Joam De Cruz, a horse trader with an interest in strengthening relationships with the Portuguese, proposed to get them guns from the Portuguese. On one condition. The Parathavais have to worship the Portuguese god. The Parathavais thought that they were simply adding the Portuguese god to their current worship. They simply didn't understand what they were getting into. They agreed.

Armed with guns, they successfully repelled the Muslim attack. They added the Portuguese god to their worship. Francis Xavier came to inspect. The Parathavais had given their word that they would worship the Portuguese god. But the Portuguese god demanded exclusivity. No one else could be worshipped. The Parathavais had to keep their word. In ancient India, the word once given will be honored, no matter what. Xavier demanded an oath.

The Parathavais, to keep their word, took an oath on their beloved mother Goddess, Kumari Aatha (Kanyakumari Amman) that they will not worship her anymore.

The drunkard & the Goddess

From the brilliant Joe De Cruz, Tamil writer & speaker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ciu6N80jOWo

I'm from the Nellai district, Buvari village. This was a Catholic village of Parathavas. I am talking about my experiences.

As a young boy, when I would go to sleep, I would listen to Biblical sayings from a village drunkard, Alec Pitchai, such as: "Repent now. The Kingdom of God is upon us.", "Who has taught you to escape the coming apocalypse?". One night, he wasn't there. He was under trial by the village. He was bowed, his arms folded & hand on his mouth.

He was banished from the village. Why? What crime did he commit?

He had gone to the Mutharathamman Kovil in the neighboring village. The Christian village forbade everyone from visiting any temple, celebrating their festivals or partaking in their Prasadam (food offerings). He had violated the decree. For this crime, the village decided to banish him.

Why did he go to the temple?

Every year, the Mutharathamman Vigraha would be taken & put in a Sambadam (metal water container), and joyously carried around. This year, she simply wouldn't move. The local Hindus tried; she wouldn't move. The Pujari (priest) did additional rituals. She still wouldn't budge. The village council was called. Per the local Sampradaya (traditions), only a Parathavai could move her. The local Hindus chanced upon Alec Pitchai. They requested him. He obliged. He touched the till-now immovable Goddess and she moved immediately. The ritual & festivals were happily conducted.

ஒரு பானை சோற்றுக்கு ஒரு சோறு பதம். With just one of her Parathavai children who used to worship her touching her, the mother is joyous; didn't matter if no one else came.