Devasahayam Pillai underwent a harrowing experience as he was paraded from Padmanabhapuram Palace to Aralvaimozhy by soldiers, a journey that spanned several days. Treated with disdain akin to a criminal, he was subjected to the degrading practice of having his body painted with red and black spots. To add to his humiliation, he was made to ride backward on a water buffalo through the bustling streets of South Travancore, a spectacle meant to shame him in the eyes of the public.
The torment inflicted upon Devasahayam Pillai did not end with the public humiliation he endured. Each day, he was subjected to a brutal beating, receiving eighty lashes as a form of torture. His wounds were further aggravated by the application of pepper, and he was left to suffer under the scorching sun. Deprived of proper sustenance, he was given only stagnant water to drink, a cruel method of further weakening his spirit and body.
Despite the relentless persecution he faced, stories of divine intervention began to emerge along the path of Devasahayam Pillai's ordeal. At Puliyoorkurichi, near the Padmanabhapuram Palace, it is said that God quenched his thirst by causing water to flow miraculously from a rock as he prayed. The site of this miracle, marked by a water hole, remains a testament to the faith and resilience of Devasahayam Pillai. Additionally, the neem tree in Peruvilai, where he was tied during his march, was believed to possess healing properties, bringing relief to the sick in the village and beyond. These miraculous occurrences only added to the mystique surrounding Devasahayam Pillai.
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The Tortures inflicted on Devasahayam Pillai by the persecutors can be divided into mental and physical.
- Mental Tortures :
Mental torments are designed to induce mental exhaustion, strain, and humiliation. In the presence of the king, Dalava and Singaram Annavi insulted Christians by calling them despicable, filthy, and foolish individuals. This was not only an attack on the dignity of Devasahayam Pillai, who was a Christian himself, but also subjected him to great shame through both words and actions. His humiliating display, riding a buffalo, adorned with erukku flowers, and given only a small piece of cloth to cover himself, was intended to disgrace him in front of a large crowd. Furthermore, the pressure to renounce his Christian faith was intensified by the fact that some Christians renounced their beliefs out of fear, which led to mockery directed at Devasahayam Pillai. One of the most painful experiences for him was when his own wife briefly abandoned her faith during the tortures, although she later regretted her actions and returned to her beliefs. The journey on the buffalo was an extended one, lasting 16 days initially and then continuing for several months, prolonging the humiliation.
- Physical Tortures
The kinds of physical tortures inflicted on the Servant of God Devasahayam Pillai during the three years of his long wait to martyrdom.
A. The limited space of the penitentiary.
Devasahayam Pillai found himself confined in a cramped prison cell upon his arrest, resembling the size of an oven. The dimensions of this cell were incredibly restrictive, measuring only 5 palms in height, 1 cubit in width, and a little over 1 cubit in length. The door of the prison stood at a mere 2 palms high. Returning to this cell after being initially taken for execution, enduring a 16-day parade on a buffalo, and enduring months-long parades throughout the Kingdom would have undoubtedly posed unimaginable challenges to his survival.
The king's decision to spare the Servant of God's life left him feeling conflicted. On one hand, he was grateful to continue living and serving his faith, but on the other hand, he longed for the honor of martyrdom. Despite the reversal of the death sentence, he remained steadfast in his devotion to Christ, praying for strength and guidance in the face of this unexpected turn of events.
The Servant of God's reaction to the king's order being revoked showcased his unwavering faith and commitment to his beliefs. His willingness to accept whatever fate came his way, whether life or death, demonstrated his deep spiritual conviction. Although he was saddened by the missed opportunity to die for his faith, he continued to trust in God's plan for him, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with courage and faith.
C. Walking on foot and utilizing Frigid and Provocative Herbs as Implements of Punishment :
Devasahayam was adorned with a garland of eruku and paraded through the capital on foot for 16 days, accompanied by the beating of drums. This shameful procession was a form of public humiliation that lasted for a significant period of time.
The use of chilly, in both powder and paste form, was employed as a tool of torture during the parade and continued for months across the kingdom. Buttari describes the brutal treatment, involving rubbing pepper powder on his body, scourging his back with thorny instruments, and forcing him to inhale pepper fumes. This torture caused intense burning sensations akin to fire.
Despite the accusations and mockery he faced during the parade, Devasahayam remained steadfast in prayer and praise. The Servant of God displayed remarkable resilience and faith in the face of such extreme adversity, lifting his hands in prayer even as he endured the torment inflicted upon him.
D. Marching with Buffalo :
Often he was beaten in public with tamarind stick and with thorny sticks in such a way as to tear open his flesh and powdered chilly was smeared over the wounds and all over the body. He was thus made to stand in the hot sun. The Servant of God bore all these sufferings with patience and joy.
E. Long, Dangerous, and Challenging Trip on a Buffalo :
It's not difficult to picture the challenges and dangers of sitting on the flat back of a buffalo. The Servant of God couldn't grab onto anything because his hands were bound behind him. The uneven terrain and roads likely led to many falls. Additionally, the buffalo, not liking the weight of a rider, would often shake him off and make him fall to the ground.
The image of the Servant of God struggling to stay on the buffalo's back is vivid and intense. His inability to hold on due to his tied hands, combined with the animal's resistance to having a rider, creates a scene of constant struggle and potential danger. The roughness of the terrain only adds to the difficulty of the situation, making it a challenging and unsafe experience for the Servant of God.
F. The second sentence discusses death and its subsequent reversal :
G. Torture by Taluk Chiefs :
In the Kingdom of Travancore during that time, there was a tradition where prisoners were moved from one location to another, under the supervision of different local officials. Devasahayam, too, was taken from place to place, particularly through villages where some individuals had converted to the Catholic faith, as a deterrent against future conversions.
Wherever he was brought, large crowds would gather to witness his immense bravery and resilience in the face of suffering. He endured daily tortures such as beatings and being smeared with chilly powder, yet he remained steadfast and joyful in the midst of these hardships. This served as a powerful testament to his unwavering Christian faith.
At Puliyoorkurichy :
The Servant of God arrived at a tiny location known as Puliyoorkurichy and was positioned on a rock. Feeling extremely thirsty, he was denied water to drink. He then prayed to God with tears streaming down his face, and struck the rock with his elbow. Miraculously, water gushed forth from the rock, providing him with a drink.
Even to this day, the rock still produces water, attracting numerous visitors to this fountain. People from far and wide come to witness this miraculous event and partake in the water that flows from the rock. The story of the Servant of God and the rock that provided water continues to inspire and amaze those who hear about it.
H. Imprisonment at Peruvilai :
Devasahayam Pillai was taken from Puliyoorkurichy to Peruvilai, where he was placed in the custody of the executioner. He endured seven months of torture, bound in chains and fetters to a tree. This prevented him from moving freely, forcing him to either sit up or lie down on his back.
Despite his suffering, many people visited Devasahayam in prison seeking his prayers, including his own jailer who had no children. The jailer and his wife asked for his blessings, and Devasahayam assured them that God would answer their prayers. Their wish was granted, leading the executioner to become kind and sympathetic towards Devasahayam.
Devasahayam was able to meet with priests in prison, finding solace in sharing his joy of suffering for Christ with them. He received the sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion from Fr. Thommaso de Fonseca, S.J. Despite being offered a chance to escape by the guards, Devasahayam chose to face death bravely for his faith, encouraged by the counsel of De Lannoy and Fr. Buttari.
I. Foot Whipping, Beatings & Lashes :
Every day, the persecutors would inflict a punishment of 30 lashes on him, in addition to the beatings he endured without any official approval. His steadfast refusal to renounce his faith led to the King's decree for him to be whipped with thorny scourges. During his time in prison, he was subjected to 30 cane lashes daily, resulting in a total of 35 wounds and scars on his body.
J. Laceration of the Skin :
The skin was cut using a sharp tool that resembled a thorny scourge, in order to intensify the burning sensation caused by the cold powder or paste. They also inflicted pain on his face.
K. Locked in Prison with suffocating chili powder :
Devasahayam found himself trapped in a prison cell surrounded by pots of boiling water mixed with red hot chili powder, a cruel attempt to make him give up. Despite the challenging situation, Devasahayam managed to overcome this obstacle as well.
L. Ants in the Prison :
He found himself locked up in a jail at a County headquarters, where the prison was infested with kadierumbu, also known as Red ants, notorious for their painful bites.
M. Thrown with Poisonous snakes & scorpions :
M. Thrown with Poisonous snakes & scorpions :
Devasahayam found himself surrounded by deadly snakes and scorpions, yet he miraculously managed to survive the encounter with these dangerous creatures.
Devasahayam Pillai passed 3 years in prison without bath and did not have any oils to apply to his body.
O. Thirst :
Devasahayam Pillai endured various forms of torture, including being deprived of water to quench his thirst on multiple occasions and in different locations. For instance, while near the sea on a buffalo, he experienced intense thirst but was only offered salty sea water, which he miraculously turned into drinkable water through his prayer. The rock fountain at Puliyoorkurichy stands as a testament to this cruel treatment, as well as a symbol of God's grace in providing miraculous water from the rock. Unfortunately, when he requested water at this site, he was given sewage water instead.
P. Hunger :
Devasahayam Pillai typically received a meager portion of cooked rice, but eventually even this small amount was withheld in an attempt to starve him to death. This cruel treatment took place in Peruvilai.
Q. Being Carried Like an Animal :
Right before his death, this incident occurred while they were on their way to the execution site: Recognizing that the chains on his feet were hindering him from keeping up with their rapid pace, the soldiers made him lie flat on the ground. They then inserted a strong pole through the chains that bound his hands and feet, and suspended him on that pole to transport him to their intended destination. By the time they reached Kattadimalai in this manner, the restraints had dug into his arms and legs, causing him to endure agonizing wounds due to this cruel treatment.
# Devasahayam’s life during the year's of Torture :
Bishop Clement stated that Devasahayam dedicated time every morning and night for contemplation of spiritual matters. Throughout the day, he would also pray to God and read pious books, particularly the lives of saints, aloud for the benefit of those around him. In addition to fasting as prescribed by the church, Devasahayam fasted on Fridays and Saturdays in honor of Christ's crucifixion and the Virgin Mary. He was respectful and obedient to priests, especially his Missionary, Fr. Buttari, following their guidance promptly and diligently.
Devasahayam was receptive to priests visiting him, even in the dead of night, for confession and communion. The priests were pleased to meet someone they considered a "living martyr." Devasahayam was eager to confess his sins with remorse and receive the Eucharist for spiritual nourishment. Despite his desire to receive the sacraments more frequently, it was challenging for priests to access him due to the circumstances.
