Walk With Me

Author(s): Chandanaji Acharya, Vastupal Parikh
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 40

Walk With Me
This was a market where young girls, often abducted from good homes or villages, were sold like animals to reckless drunken men and ruthless prostitutes. Sometimes wealthy men also came here looking for a 'Dasi,' a household slave. A peddler made Vasumati stand on a platform and the auction started. A prostitute was the highest bidder.
Sudharma, could you imagine Vasumati's state of mind at that time? A beautiful, innocent, young princess now about to be sold to a prostitute! Vasumati must have been extremely depressed, but she was a brave soul. Like an angry lioness she roared, 'I don't care who else buys me, but I will not be sold for prostitution.'
Her roar attracted the attention of a kind-hearted rich man named Dhanvah, who was looking for a good ‘Dasi'. Vasumati's roar convinced him that she was not an ordinary girl, but rather an unfortunate one who may have been forced into this situation. He took another look at Vasumati, and he was sure of his judgment. He significantly raised the bid and succeeded in purchasing Vasumati.
Dhanvah asked her who she was, but there was no reply. He asked her name, but was met with silence. The poise and firmness of this little girl impressed him. He named her 'Chandanbala,' which means the girl who, like fragrant sandalwood, maintains her poise, purity, and determination through any adversity.
Chandanbala became an ordinary house cleaner in Dhanvah's home, and quickly came to win everyone's love and admiration. She worked hard but amazingly never revealed her identity or her past. She never brooded over her misfortune, and always maintained a cheerful
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