Bhargavi Ammaiyar observed with wonder the profound changes in Devasahayam’s way of life. She marveled at his extended prayers, his compassionate engagement with the marginalized, and his growing dedication to acts of charity. When Devasahayam, now a devoted Christian, expressed his hope that his wife would also embrace Christianity, he shared this heartfelt wish with Bhargavi Ammaiyar. Hesitant, she confided in her family, who questioned whether a Nair caste family could adopt Christianity.
To address her concerns, Devasahayam gently explained that the caste system—dividing people into Brahmins, Chattriyar, Vaisiyar, and Sutirar—was a construct created by Manu for the self-interest of certain groups. He noted that the Namboodiris now exploited this system for their own gain. In his view, no one was inherently superior or inferior by birth; a person’s actions defined their worth.
“We rely on grains grown by those deemed inferior by the Namboodiris, profiting from their labor and offering it in our contributions,” he said. “Why, then, does caste matter only in these moments? It is rooted in self-interest and deceit. The Namboodiris place us, too, in the fourth tier as Sutras, labeling us as servants to those above. We were once considered inferior ourselves. How can we, in turn, view others as lesser?”
“Our culture marks them as inferior,” he continued. “But, Bhargavi, consider this: one sun shines on all, one sky brings rain, one earth sustains us. We breathe the same air, feel the same hunger, and share the same red blood. Beyond male and female, all else is an illusion. Will those who uphold caste accept this truth?”
He pointed to Valmiki, born to a hunter and a prostitute, yet revered despite his origins. “Why accept his story yet deny equality to other castes?” he asked. “Do the Namboodiris truly uplift our Nair caste, or do they confine us to servitude and defamation? The pain of this truth is heavy. Nair women are forced to carry betel leaves (talappoli) when the king parades through the streets, and the woman whose plate he touches becomes his for the day. Is this what exalts our caste? To the Namboodiris and the king, all seems driven by self-interest.”
“I’m afraid,” Bhargavi admitted. “I seek my mother’s guidance, and I follow her words. Your interactions with lower castes worry me.”
Seeking to comfort her, Devasahayam responded tenderly, “Dear Bhargavi, set aside your fears about caste. There is one God who created all, a God of love who sacrificed for humanity. I urge you to follow His principles and not look back.”
Moved by her husband’s unwavering conviction, Bhargavi Ammaiyar embraced a new perspective, choosing to stand by his side. Together, they traveled to Vadakkankulam, where they met Paranjothi Nathar. There, Bhargavi was baptized, adopting the name Gnanappu, meaning Theresa in Tamil, signifying her transformation.
Drawing on the teachings of John the Baptist, who preached repentance in the wilderness of Judea as the kingdom of heaven drew near (Matthew 3:3), Devasahayam encouraged her to immerse herself in the river, embracing God’s path. Though seen as unconventional by chief priests and scribes, John the Baptist attracted ordinary, God-fearing, and righteous people to his message.
This immersion symbolized a profound shift in life’s philosophy—a new beginning, leaving behind old ways to sow goodness, fight for justice, and inspire others, much like John the Baptist. Through De Lannoy’s guidance, Neelakandan’s influence, and now Devasahayam’s example, Bhargavi Ammaiyar embraced baptism.
Baptism marked the start of a righteous journey, abandoning sinful ways to live with integrity. In a world marred by injustice, honest labor became the foundation of a path pleasing to God, as Paranjothi Nathar taught.
A divine sense of joy filled Devasahayam’s heart. His journey toward martyrdom began in Vadakkankulam.
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