Mariamman

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Ava spent many days waiting for the next goddess, Mariamman. The number of new cases were decreasing and the number of infected people were reaching a steady constant rate. This was not the end of the diseases impact, there were still plenty of people still suffering and needing help. Ava would try to take each day at a time, patiently waiting for the goddess's appearance. She would go to work and come back each day expecting to find someone waiting for her. When she would comeback to her home, she would find no one. Day after day went on and nothing. Everyday that passed Ava spent writing more in the prayer book. Filling up its pages with her thoughts and prayers. The prayer book had come to be something of an outlet even. She wrote her prayer for that day and set it down on her nightstand. She then drifted off to sleep for the night.

Ava awoke the next day to the sounds of heavy rain. She went to the kitchen to make her much needed morning brew of coffee.

" Make me one too while you are at it," a commanding voice came from behind her.

Ava turned around and saw a woman sitting on her couch. The woman's dark raven hair glossed against the red sari she wore. Her legs were crossed and her hands placed neatly on her lap. Her red-hued skin glowed and emphasized her perfect complexion. Her facial expression unbothered and commanding. She held her head high like if she was a queen sitting on her throne.

Ava surprised for just a moment regained her composure. She walked to the woman and sat down next to her.

" Finally! I have been expecting you, Mariamman. Why have you taken so long in your arrival?" Ava asked.

Mariamman was unmoved by Ava's odd reaction. She then raised one of her eyebrows and her mouth turned downward. Her hairs lifted and her eyes turned from brown to black. An ominous aura radiated from this woman.

" You mortal, do you really think it was wise to question me. I come as I please and leave as I please. Your mind could not fathom my capabilities. So typical of you humans to obsessed with your selves and your own timing. My other counterparts have clearly not shown you how to properly speak to a goddess. Let this sink in, for I will not repeat myself again. I am not as faint-hearted for you mortals as my other monikers. To be fully transparent with you, I always was against involving mortals into godly affairs. Your little minds are bounded by your own mortality."

Ava's hairs stood up and a shiver instantly went down her spine. The Aura this woman emitted was terrorizing. The intensity instantly sent Ava to the floor. It was too overwhelming.

" Now look at you, to the floor. It didn't even take an ounce of my power. "

Ava was scared to even move that she decided her best move was to stay still. This way she could avoid offending this woman again.

" Very well, you can get up and take your seat. I am not going to waste a drop of power to hurt you. That would be too easy." Mariamman said with a stern voice.

Ava got up and took a seat on the other couch, keeping a distance.

" I am so sorry for my offense. That truly was not my intention," Ava responded timidly.

Mariamman's face and demeanor changed in an instance back to how she was, before her anger over took her.

" All is forgiven. You may not know how to properly act in front of a god like me. My other counterparts seem to have seen something in you. Although I do not like involving humans, I trust their intuition. My explosive side is something I have not completely managed." The woman said while laughing casually.

" Ava, let us just proceed and forget that small incident. I am Mariamman and I am the goddess that provides protection for diseases. I am here to speak of my role and you are to witness. Understand?"

Ava nodded at her question.

" Very well, let us begin."

The woman picked up from her side a scimitar. The way she held it was like if it was an extension of her arm.

Ava at the sight of such weapon tensed up and sat back further in her seat.

" Relax, child. I am not gonna stain such a weapon on you. That would be foolish," again speaking with a laughing manner.

Ava still feeling tense just nodded her head. The woman was able to feel Ava's tenseness at her presence. She sat the scimitar down and sat closer to Ava. She picked up Ava's hand and said, " I am sorry for scaring you, child. My demeanor is much like the chaotic world and the forces of nature around you.... ever changing."

Ava once again felt a familiar presence of her predecessors in Mariamman. She felt secure. This woman's presence had such intensity that could frighten anyone but also commanded security that made Ava feel safe.

Mariamann spoke once again, " By the touch of your hand I can sense you are strong willed. Maybe my counterparts did well in their choice. "

Ava felt a sense of pride to be admired by a goddess of such strength.

" Thank you, Mariamann," she replied.

" Okay, let us begin once again, " Mariamann said as she picked up her scimitar.

" This is my scimitar which I have used for many centuries to decapitate the demons of virulence and illness. She is quite beautiful isn't she? As you can see, I take what you mortals might say, a more hands on approach." She said with a grin revealing pearly white teeth.

" My role is to ward off the demons terrorizing the world and to smite the demon that is causing the disease that has overcome you mortals. I am the warrior goddess that will defeat and bring the head of this demon and add it to my collection of others. This is my vow of protection. Although, I am sure you would love to see my capabilities in action, there is still one more goddess you must meet before this can be put to an end. "

Ava, still absorbing everything Mariamman had just told her sat in silence. She was letting it sink in.

Mariamman understanding how overwhelming she might be to a human just smiled at Ava's frozen nature.

" Well, that is all that I have come here to tell you. I trust that the next goddess that comes you will actually provide a beverage too when asked for?" Mariamman teasingly said.

" Oh! I am so sorry! I can-"

" No need, child." Mariamman cut her off before she could offer her anything.

She stood once again and walked to Ava. She picked up Ava's hand and said," Something else I sense in you, strength." She smiled and walked to the door with her scimitar. She turned around at Ava and said," Till we see each other again, Ava." She walked out the door like any normal human would, leaving Ava behind still letting everything sink in.

Author's Note: Mariamman is very popuar in the area of South India. Many of the people of South India consider her their protector. The first portion of her name " Mari" means rains and the second portion "Amman" means mother. She is said to not only protect against disease but is also known to be the bringer of prosperity. Many people pray to for rainfall since the abundance of crops depends greatly on rain. She has the abilities to both protect against disease and also inflict disease on those she wishes to. Some say she has two sides and some art depict both sides of Mariamman. One of her sides is that of a protector but her other side is that of a vindictive goddess that is difficult to propitiate. She symbolizes the worlds natural forces. She is usually portrayed as a beautiful young woman with a red hued face. She is usually wearing a red dress. At times, she is portrayed with many arms that represent her many powers. She also is known to cure “ heat -based disease such as pox or rashes Something really interesting about her is that she is also prayed for familial welfare, fertility, progeny, or a good spouse. I have left the sources I used for Mariamman down below if she interest you and you would like to know more. I enjoyed writing about her because she seemed like a very strong and powerful part of Amman’s persona. Thank you for stopping by and reading my story!

Sources:

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