Parvati and Andhak
The Second Birth of Andhaka
After Andhaka's death, Śiva sees that the demon's greatest tragedy was not simply his blindness, but that he had grown up separated from the mother who could have taught him love before desire and possession distorted his understanding.
Śiva therefore grants him another birth.
Birth
High in the Himalayas, where snow-covered peaks rose above deep forests of deodar and birch, Pārvatī lived in a secluded mountain dwelling surrounded by nature.
A waterfall descended through the rocks nearby, its continuous roar mingling with the sound of mountain winds. During the day, sunlight touched the distant peaks; at night, the valley was illuminated by moonlight reflected from the snow.
The walls of the Himalayan cave seemed to hold an ancient celebration of desire. Between carved lotus flowers and curling vines were paintings of Kāma and Rati, their bodies posed in intimate embraces beneath flowering trees. Their faces were turned toward one another with unmistakable tenderness, while the flowing lines of the paintings emphasized beauty, attraction and the closeness between lovers.
Other murals showed celestial couples reclining together beneath moonlit skies, surrounded by flowering creepers, peacocks and dancing apsaras. Some figures were partially draped in translucent fabrics, while others were portrayed in traditional artistic poses associated with love, fertility and spring.
The imagery became especially striking at night. Oil lamps flickered against the stone walls, causing the painted figures to appear to move with the shifting shadows. Gold ornaments, flowing hair, flowers and intertwined forms caught the warm light, giving the cave an atmosphere that was simultaneously sacred, romantic and sensuous.
At the center of one wall stood Kāma and Rati beneath a flowering tree. Kāma held his beloved close while Rati leaned toward him, their bodies portrayed in an intimate embrace suggesting desire, affection and creation as inseparable forces. Their flowing garments and intertwined forms emphasized the closeness of the divine lovers, while lotus blossoms surrounded them like symbols of fertility and renewal.
The dwelling was warm despite the cold outside. Oil lamps burned beside the walls, while fragrant herbs and sandalwood gave the air a gentle scent. During her pregnancy, Pārvatī was cared for with warm herbal baths, nourishing food and traditional oil massages. Outside the labor chamber, beneath the Himalayan moonlight, Kāma and Rati sought fucking sex. They regarded Pārvatī's divine motherhood as an auspicious sign of fertility and new life, and their own union was seen as a prayer that they too might someday welcome a child. The waterfall echoed through the valley while the two lovers remained together in private, celebrating love, creation and the promise of new life.
Deer sometimes appeared at the edge of the forest, while birds nested among the trees and Nandi remained nearby like a silent guardian. The surrounding wilderness seemed unusually peaceful, as though the mountains themselves were protecting the child who was about to be born.
Pārvatī's pregnancy was unlike any ordinary pregnancy. She carried not merely a child but the returning soul of Andhaka. The sages said that the child had returned to the very source from which his first existence had arisen.
The sages had summoned Dhanvantari, the divine physician, and the Ashwini Kumars, the celestial healers, to personally oversee Pārvatī's labor.
Dhanvantari and the Ashwini Kumars remained beside Pārvatī throughout the labor.
They appeared as timeless divine physicians, unclothed in the austere manner of ancient ascetic imagery, their forms treated without sensual emphasis. Sacred ornaments and ritual marks distinguished them, while the warm light of the oil lamps outlined their figures against the stone walls. Their attention remained entirely upon Pārvatī and the safe delivery of Andhaka.
Dhanvantari examined Pārvatī calmly, observing her breathing, pulse and condition as the contractions progressed. The Ashwini Kumars monitored the mother and unborn child, carefully observing the progression of labor and Andhaka's descent. Their presence brought an unusual sense of reassurance to the chamber.
One of the Ashwini Kumars placed a hand gently upon Pārvatī's abdomen, feeling the changing position of the child as another contraction passed.
Dhanvantari instructed the attendants to prepare warm water, clean cloths, medicines and the equipment required for the birth.
"The mother is strong," Dhanvantari said. "But this child carries an extraordinary destiny. We shall remain beside her until the birth is complete."
The Attendants
Three trusted attendants—Jaya, Laxmi and Ragini—were assigned to remain with Pārvatī throughout the pregnancy and especially during labor.
Jaya was responsible for helping Pārvatī change positions, arranging cushions and supporting her when the contractions became difficult.
Laxmi prepared warm water, clean cloths, medicines and other materials according to Dhanvantari's instructions. She also carefully observed Pārvatī's general condition and reported any changes to the physicians.
Ragini remained closest to Pārvatī during the more difficult contractions. She held Pārvatī's hands, helped her adjust her legs and hips, encouraged her breathing and reminded her to rest between contractions.
The three attendants worked quietly and respectfully under the direction of Dhanvantari and the Ashwini Kumars.
When the labor chamber was finally prepared, Kāma and Rati were also permitted to enter. They remained near the side of the chamber, their presence connected symbolically with the themes of love, fertility and creation represented throughout the Himalayan dwelling.
Rati looked toward Pārvatī with admiration.
"She has carried this child with extraordinary strength," she said softly.
Kāma nodded.
The physicians continued their work, and the attendants remained focused upon Pārvatī.
Pregnancy
Her pregnancy unfolded like this:
Early pregnancy: Moonlight fell softly across Pārvatī's face, illuminating the red bindi between her brows. Her earrings and bangles caught the light whenever she moved, while the color on her fingernails gleamed faintly in the darkness. She still appeared regal and composed, unaware of how difficult the coming months would become. Pārvatī experienced unusual exhaustion and waves of nausea. The sages realized that this was no ordinary child—the soul of the former Andhaka carried an immense spiritual burden.
Her body underwent the familiar physiological changes of pregnancy: hormonal signals supported implantation and development of the placenta, while rising pregnancy hormones contributed to nausea, fatigue and changes in appetite. Her circulating blood volume also gradually increased to support the growing fetus and placenta.
Middle months: The child grew rapidly, and Pārvatī increasingly needed periods of rest.
As the uterus enlarged, it gradually occupied more of the abdominal cavity. The growing uterus displaced nearby organs and placed increasing pressure on the bladder, so Pārvatī sometimes needed to urinate more frequently. The fetus also began changing position repeatedly as it grew and moved within the amniotic fluid.
Later pregnancy: As the months passed, the elaborate perfection of her appearance gradually gave way to the practical reality of pregnancy. Her hair was more frequently left loose, her ornaments were lighter, and she often rested with her feet elevated after exhausting days. The weight became enormous. Pārvatī experienced backache, difficulty sleeping, breathlessness and painful contractions.
Her center of gravity shifted as the uterus became increasingly heavy. The pelvic floor carried greater weight, while pressure from the uterus on the bladder became more pronounced. Irregular uterine tightenings—Braxton Hicks contractions—became increasingly noticeable.
Yet she refused to abandon the child, saying that this time Andhaka would not be separated from his mother.
The Beginning of Labor
The final days were different.
Night had fallen when the first truly powerful contractions began. Nearby, a waterfall thundered continuously through the mountains. Its deep rushing sound filled the darkness, sometimes drowning out the attendants' quieter voices.
As the preparations for Pārvatī's labor continued, an aged astrologer arrived at the mountain dwelling.
The astrologer studied the stars for a long time. He traced the positions of the planets, examined the lunar constellation under which Pārvatī's child would be born, and then became unusually quiet.
At last, he looked toward Pārvatī.
"Mother Goddess," he said slowly, "this child's destiny is unlike that of an ordinary child."
Pārvatī asked, "What do you see?"
The astrologer hesitated before answering.
"I see that his life will be filled with separation, return and transformation. He will lose his way, wander through darkness, and eventually find his way back to the woman from whom his second life began."
Pārvatī placed her hand protectively over her unborn child.
"And who will that woman be?"
The astrologer looked directly at her.
"You."
The chamber became silent.
"The stars show something even stranger," he continued. "One day, Pārvatī herself will marry Andhaka. Their destinies will become bound together in a way that no ordinary marriage can explain."
Pārvatī stared at him, unable to speak.
"Do you mean this child will become my husband?"
The astrologer slowly nodded.
"That is what the stars appear to say. But remember—the stars reveal possibilities, not the meaning behind them. Perhaps the marriage will be literal. Perhaps it will represent the joining of two destinies that have been separated and reunited."
He looked once more at the constellation.
"Whatever the meaning, Andhaka's life will eventually bring him back to you. The bond between you will become the central mystery of his destiny."
Pārvatī lowered her eyes toward her unborn child.
For the first time, the joy of his approaching birth was mixed with uncertainty.
Outside, the Himalayan wind moved through the trees, and the distant waterfall continued to roar beneath the moon.
The prophecy had been spoken. Andhaka had not yet entered the world, yet the stars had already written a mysterious future around his name.
Pārvatī's bangles trembled whenever another contraction seized her. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing.
The pains became stronger and more regular.
As Pārvatī's labor progressed, Dhanvantari and the Ashwini Kumars remained beside her throughout the entire delivery. They did not merely prepare the chamber and leave; they personally observed the progression of labor from the first powerful contractions until Andhaka's birth.
Dhanvantari carefully monitored Pārvatī's condition, periodically assessing her pulse, breathing, strength and response to the contractions. The Ashwini Kumars watched the progression of the baby's descent and position, while the attendants followed their instructions and prepared whatever was required.
As the contractions became stronger, the divine physicians remained calm and attentive. When Pārvatī needed to change position, they helped the attendants support her. When she became exhausted, they allowed her time to recover between contractions. When the baby's descent accelerated, their attention became increasingly focused on the approaching birth.
They remained present during the rupture of the membranes, the pushing stage and crowning. They continued observing both mother and child as Andhaka's head descended, rotated and was finally delivered, followed by his shoulders and the remainder of his body.
Even after Andhaka was born, Dhanvantari and the Ashwini Kumars did not leave. They remained beside Pārvatī while the placenta was delivered, the bleeding was assessed, the placenta was examined and Pārvatī's condition was monitored during the first part of her recovery.
Only when mother and newborn were stable did the three physicians finally step back.
Medical Examination Before Active Labor
As the contractions became established, Dhanvantari decided that a formal obstetric examination was necessary to determine how far labor had progressed.
Jaya, Laxmi and Ragini prepared the chamber.
Ragini helped Pārvatī settle into a supported position. Pārvatī bent her knees and allowed her legs to rest comfortably apart so that the examination could be performed safely and respectfully.
Dhanvantari first observed Pārvatī's general condition. He assessed her breathing, pulse, level of exhaustion and response to the contractions.
He then performed an external abdominal examination, placing his hands gently over the abdomen to determine the position and presentation of Andhaka.
"His head is descending," he said.
The Ashwini Kumars confirmed the fetal position and continued monitoring.
A clinical pelvic examination was then performed using appropriate clean technique.
The examination was medical rather than ceremonial. Dhanvantari inspected the external genital area for swelling, bleeding, discharge or other abnormalities. He then assessed the vaginal opening and surrounding tissues.
Jaya remained beside Pārvatī, supporting her legs.
Laxmi provided clean cloths and warm water.
Ragini held Pārvatī's hand and reassured her.
Dhanvantari carefully assessed the cervix to determine its degree of effacement and dilation and to assess the baby's presenting part.
"The cervix is changing normally," he said. "Labor is progressing."
The examination was completed carefully, and Pārvatī was allowed to return to a comfortable resting position.
Kāma and Rati remained respectfully to one side of the chamber. Rati watched the attendants' work and understood that the moment had become one of birth and transformation rather than merely prophecy.
Dhanvantari instructed everyone to continue monitoring Pārvatī closely.
The Progression of True Labor
The onset of true labor was marked by regular, painful uterine contractions accompanied by progressive cervical change. Unlike the earlier irregular tightenings, these contractions gradually became longer, stronger and closer together. During a contraction Pārvatī's abdomen became firm as the uterine muscle contracted; between contractions it softened again.
Pārvatī concentrated on her breathing as another powerful contraction gathered. She closed her eyes, steadied herself, and waited for the wave to crest.
When it came, she gripped the bedding and breathed through it.
The attendants encouraged her, reminding her to rest between contractions.
The first stage of labor was divided into a latent phase and an active phase. During the latent phase, the cervix gradually softened, shortened and began to open. As labor became established, cervical dilation accelerated. Contemporary obstetric definitions generally place the beginning of active labor at approximately 6 cm of dilation rather than assuming that the entire process proceeds at one constant rate.
The birth progressed slowly.
With each successive contraction, Andhaka moved farther downward.
Pārvatī's exhaustion became overwhelming, but the thought that she was finally bringing her child into the world gave her the strength to continue.
Cervical Effacement and Dilation
The contractions became stronger and more regular.
Each contraction originated in the muscular wall of the uterus. The upper uterine muscle contracted strongly while the lower uterine segment became progressively thinner and more accommodating. This helped direct the fetus downward toward the cervix.
Meanwhile, the cervix underwent effacement. It gradually changed from a relatively thick structure into a much thinner rim of tissue. At the same time, the cervical opening progressively enlarged.
Pārvatī rested between contractions.
Another contraction came.
Pārvatī gripped the bedding, and her bangles struck softly against one another. Her painted fingernails pressed into the fabric as she gathered her strength.
Outside, the waterfall continued its relentless rhythm.
Then another contraction came.
Early dilation proceeded gradually. As labor became active, the cervical opening enlarged progressively until it reached complete dilation—approximately 10 cm. Only after complete dilation could the second stage of labor begin.
Another contraction.
Pārvatī breathed deeply.
The pressure was becoming intense.
Descent of Andhaka
Meanwhile, Andhaka's position changed.
His head descended from the uterus toward the maternal pelvis. This descent was not a single downward movement but a progressive sequence occurring over many contractions. The presenting part moved lower relative to the mother's pelvic landmarks as the uterus contracted and Pārvatī's efforts increased.
The baby's head also adjusted its position during descent. Because the maternal pelvis is not a simple straight tube, the fetal head normally rotates so that its dimensions become better aligned with the available space. The head could therefore descend, flex, rotate and descend again rather than simply moving straight downward.
Pārvatī's exhaustion became profound.
But every time she felt another contraction, she gathered herself again.
Maternal movements during labor
As the contractions intensified, Pārvatī's body instinctively searched for positions that reduced the pressure and helped her cope with the descending child. She did not remain completely still. During one contraction she bent both knees and widened her legs, while between contractions she relaxed them again.
The attendants supported her legs as she adjusted her posture. She shifted her weight from one side to the other and repeatedly changed the angle of her pelvis. At times she raised her hips slightly from the bedding, held that position while the contraction was strongest, and then lowered herself again when it passed.
These movements altered the orientation of her pelvis and allowed her to respond to the changing pressure produced by Andhaka's descent. As his head moved deeper into the pelvis, Pārvatī sometimes drew her knees upward and outward, creating a more stable position for pushing.
Another contraction began.
Pārvatī instinctively bent her knees, spread her legs, and tilted her pelvis, breathing deeply as the pressure increased.
She gripped the attendants' hands and shifted her hips slightly forward and backward. When the contraction reached its peak, she lifted her hips once more and bore down. As the contraction faded, she lowered them and rested, breathing heavily before the next wave arrived.
With successive contractions, the baby's head descended farther. Pārvatī's movements became increasingly instinctive: she widened her knees, adjusted her hips, and alternated between resting positions and positions in which she could bear down more effectively.
Near the end of the first stage, the pressure in her pelvis had become intense. She could feel that something had changed. The contractions were no longer merely painful waves; they were accompanied by a powerful downward pressure as Andhaka's head moved through the maternal pelvis.
Pārvatī closed her eyes and gathered herself.
Another contraction came.
Pārvatī's voice rose with the next contraction, but the sound was partly swallowed by the roar of the waterfall. Moonlight entered through the opening in the chamber and flashed briefly across her ornaments as she shifted position.
She raised her hips slightly, drew her knees upward and outward, and pushed.
The attendants encouraged her to breathe.
When the contraction ended, she slowly relaxed her legs and lowered her hips. She remained exhausted for several moments before the next contraction began.
The pattern repeated.
Contraction. Pressure. Movement. Pushing. Rest.
With every cycle, Andhaka descended a little farther.
As the hours passed, the attendants also kept track of Pārvatī's urination. Prolonged labor, increasing pressure from the enlarged uterus and the baby's descent could all affect bladder function. They helped her use the toilet when she was able and monitored the amount and appearance of her urine. If she became unable to empty her bladder adequately, a urinary catheter could be used temporarily under appropriate clinical circumstances.
Jaya supported her shoulders.
Laxmi kept the warm water and clean cloths ready.
Ragini continued to hold her hand.
Dhanvantari and the Ashwini Kumars remained attentive to both mother and child.
Rupture of the Membranes
Then, during one particularly strong contraction, Pārvatī felt a sudden release of fluid.
Ashwini Kumars observed fetal descent.
The amniotic membranes had ruptured. The fluid that had surrounded Andhaka throughout pregnancy flowed away through the birth canal. This was the fictional moment at which the "waters broke." In ordinary labor, spontaneous rupture of membranes can occur before or during active labor.
The attendants cleaned the area and continued monitoring her.
The fluid was predominantly clear, although its appearance could vary. The amount released could be substantial because the amniotic sac had surrounded the fetus throughout pregnancy.
At the same time, Pārvatī noticed an increase in vaginal mucus. The mucus plug that had helped seal the cervix during pregnancy was being displaced as the cervix effaced and dilated.
Some of the mucus was streaked with blood. This "bloody show" can occur because small cervical blood vessels are disrupted as the cervix changes. A small amount of blood-tinged discharge can therefore accompany normal labor, whereas heavy or rapidly increasing bleeding would be concerning rather than an expected feature of uncomplicated birth.
Pārvatī understood that the birth was close.
The Pushing Stage
Eventually the cervix became completely dilated.
The second stage of labor had begun. The cervix was now fully open, Andhaka had descended deeply into the pelvis, and Pārvatī could begin active pushing together with her uterine contractions.
Another contraction gathered.
Pārvatī closed her eyes.
She breathed deeply.
Then she pushed.
The force came from two sources: the involuntary contractions of the uterus and Pārvatī's voluntary bearing-down effort. Together they increased pressure on the descending fetus and helped move Andhaka farther through the maternal pelvis.
Another contraction.
She pushed again.
With every successful effort, Andhaka descended a little farther. His head became progressively lower, and pressure increased in the tissues of the pelvic floor.
Pārvatī cried out from the effort.
Hours of labor had transformed her appearance. Her hair had come loose, perspiration covered her forehead, and the ornaments that had looked immaculate earlier were now slightly displaced. Yet the red bindi remained clearly visible beneath the moonlight.
Dhanvantari guides the attendants.
The attendants encouraged her.
"Slowly. Breathe. Again."
Crowning
Another contraction arrived.
Pārvatī pushed.
Andhaka's head descended until it began to remain visible at the vaginal opening during the contraction. This stage is known as crowning.
The birth canal did not suddenly "open." It is a distensible, muscular birth canal whose walls normally lie close together but can expand considerably during childbirth. As Andhaka's head descended from the uterus, through the cervix and into the vaginal canal, pressure gradually stretched the vaginal walls and the surrounding pelvic tissues.
As the head approached the vaginal opening, the opening progressively widened. Its normally narrow, collapsed shape became more circular and then increasingly oval as the baby's head pressed against it. The surrounding tissues became thinner and more taut, while the opening expanded around the advancing head.
During crowning, the baby's head remained visible at the opening rather than retreating completely between contractions. With each contraction and maternal push, a little more of the head emerged, causing the opening to stretch further. The tissues surrounding it accommodated the increasing diameter of the baby's head through a combination of elasticity, gradual stretching, and relaxation.
Once the head was completely delivered, it rotated to align the shoulders with the mother's pelvis. The vaginal canal and opening then accommodated the passage of the shoulders, after which the remainder of the body followed relatively quickly.
Small amounts of blood-tinged mucus or blood can occur during this process because the cervix and surrounding tissues contain many small blood vessels. Heavy bleeding, however, would not be considered a normal consequence of uncomplicated vaginal birth.
Pārvatī rested briefly.
Dhanvantari guides the attendants.
Another contraction gathered.
Pārvatī breathed deeply, gathered her remaining strength and pushed.
Outside, the waterfall roared beneath the moon.
Inside, the attendants waited for the child's arrival.
She pushed.
The tissues surrounding the vaginal opening and perineum stretched further to accommodate the advancing head. This stretching was dynamic: the configuration of the birth canal changed continuously according to the position, flexion and rotation of the baby's head.
Birth of the Head
Pārvatī pushed once more.
The baby's head advanced farther through the birth canal and emerged. The head then underwent restitution, a small rotation that helped bring it back into alignment with the shoulders.
For a moment, Andhaka's face was visible.
Pārvatī could barely believe that the long ordeal was almost finished.
Ashwini Kumars and Dhanvantari all three remain present.
Another contraction came.
She pushed.
The shoulders then rotated into an orientation that allowed them to pass through the maternal pelvis. One shoulder emerged, followed by the other. Once the shoulders had passed, the remainder of the body followed relatively quickly.
The chest emerged.
Then the abdomen.
Then the pelvis and legs.
Andhaka was born.
For several moments the chamber was silent.
Then the newborn cried.
His first cry marked the transition from fetal life supported by the placenta to independent breathing. His lungs expanded and began exchanging oxygen directly with the air.
Pārvatī's eyes filled with tears.
She reached for him.
The First Moments After Birth
The attendants carefully placed the newborn against Pārvatī.
She held him against her heart.
Her own physiology was undergoing another dramatic transition. The placenta had been delivered only after the birth, but the hormonal environment of pregnancy was already beginning to change. After placental delivery, estrogen and progesterone levels fall sharply, allowing prolactin to support milk production.
Oxytocin continued to play an important role. It promoted further uterine contractions, helping the uterus become firm and helping compress the blood vessels at the former placental attachment site. It also participated in the milk-ejection reflex and maternal bonding.
Pārvatī looked down at Andhaka.
"This time, my child, you will never be lost."
Andhaka's crying gradually stopped.
Rati watched silently.
Kāma lowered his head respectfully.
The three attendants stood nearby, allowing mother and newborn their first quiet moments together while Dhanvantari and the Ashwini Kumars continued their medical observations.
Delivery of the Placenta
The birth of the baby was followed by the third stage of labor.
The placenta still remained inside Pārvatī's uterus. After the baby was born, continued uterine contractions caused the placenta to separate from the uterine wall. Once separated, it passed through the birth canal and was delivered.
Some bleeding accompanied this process. This was expected because blood vessels that had supplied the placenta had been connected directly to the uterine wall. As the uterus contracted, its muscle fibers compressed those vessels, helping control blood loss.
The attendants did not rely solely on appearance to judge the blood loss. They observed the amount of blood collected on the clean cloths and absorbent materials beneath Pārvatī and watched for any sudden increase in bleeding. They also repeatedly assessed her pulse, blood pressure, breathing and general condition.
Dhanvantari supervises blood loss and uterine contraction.
The distinction was important: some bleeding was expected after delivery, but rapidly increasing blood loss, dizziness, faintness, a racing pulse or falling blood pressure could indicate postpartum hemorrhage and would require immediate treatment.
The attendants carefully examined the placenta after it was delivered. They inspected both the maternal and fetal surfaces and checked that the placenta appeared complete. They also examined the membranes to ensure that no substantial portion appeared to have remained inside the uterus.
A complete placenta was important because retained placental tissue could interfere with normal uterine contraction and increase the risk of continued bleeding. Once the attendants were satisfied that the placenta and membranes were complete, they turned their attention back to Pārvatī.
Postpartum Medical Examination
Once the placenta had been delivered and Pārvatī's condition was stable, Dhanvantari explained that a careful postpartum examination was necessary.
At this moment, Kāmadeva and Rati were finally allowed to enter the labor room.
They entered quietly.
Rati looked immediately toward Pārvatī and the newborn.
Kāmadeva stood respectfully near her.
Jaya, Laxmi and Ragini prepared the examination area.
Dhanvantari explained that the examination would assess the tissues around the birth canal for tears, swelling, bruising or other injury and would also help determine whether any repair was required.
Pārvatī remained lying comfortably with her knees bent.
Jaya supported one leg.
Laxmi supported the other.
At Dhanvantari's instruction, Pārvatī spread her legs sufficiently for the clinical examination.
Ragini adjusted the oil lamps so that the area could be properly visualized.
Dhanvantari first inspected the external genital and perineal tissues for swelling, bruising, bleeding or visible tears.
Pārvatī was asked to lift her hips slightly so that Jaya and Laxmi could adjust the clean cloth beneath her.
Once the cloth was positioned, she lowered her hips again.
Dhanvantari continued the examination.
He assessed the vaginal opening and surrounding tissues for trauma caused by the baby's passage.
The examination remained entirely clinical.
Rati watched quietly, understanding that the physicians were ensuring Pārvatī's safety after childbirth.
Kāmadeva also remained silent.
Dhanvantari instructed Pārvatī to relax her hips.
She did so.
The Ashwini Kumars checked her pulse, breathing, general condition and bleeding.
When closer examination of the birth canal was medically necessary, Dhanvantari proceeded carefully and explained each step beforehand.
Pārvatī bent her knees and kept her legs supported.
At one point she was asked to raise her hips slightly so that the physician could obtain a clearer view of the perineal tissues.
Jaya and Laxmi supported her.
Ragini kept the surrounding cloth properly positioned.
After the examination, Pārvatī lowered her hips and relaxed her legs.
Dhanvantari examined the tissues carefully for lacerations and assessed whether any repair was necessary.
No significant injury was found.
"The mother is stable," Dhanvantari said.
The attendants cleaned the area and replaced the soiled bedding with fresh cloth.
Pārvatī lowered her hips, relaxed her legs and drew the blanket around herself.
Her bindi remained on her forehead.
Her bangles rested against her wrists.
Her mangalsutra lay against her chest.
She immediately reached for Andhaka.
The newborn was placed against her.
Final Postpartum Assessment
Dhanvantari performed one final assessment.
He checked Pārvatī's pulse, breathing, uterine firmness and bleeding.
The Ashwini Kumars examined the newborn and confirmed that Andhaka was breathing normally and responding appropriately.
Jaya ensured that Pārvatī had water.
Laxmi arranged the blankets.
Ragini kept the newborn warm.
Kāmadeva approached Pārvatī.
Rati followed him.
Rati gently touched Andhaka's tiny hand.
"He is beautiful," she whispered.
Pārvatī smiled.
"He has come home."
Kāmadeva looked toward the newborn.
"In his first life, he knew desire without understanding love."
Rati looked at Pārvatī.
"And now?"
Pārvatī held Andhaka closer.
"Now he will learn both."
The Umbilical Cord
Then they turned their attention to Andhaka's umbilical cord.
The newborn's umbilical cord connects to the placenta.
In the fictional mythology, the cord represented the physical connection between Andhaka and Pārvatī.
The attendants waited until its final pulsations had ceased.
Then the senior attendant tied it securely and cut it with the consecrated golden blade.
In ordinary childbirth, cutting the cord ends the newborn's physical connection with the placenta. The remaining umbilical stump stays attached to the baby's abdomen temporarily and later dries and separates naturally.
But Andhaka's birth was not ordinary.
When the golden blade touched the cord, it did not bleed.
Instead, a stream of golden light travelled along it.
The light passed from Pārvatī toward Andhaka.
Then it disappeared into his heart.
The sages understood.
The physical connection had ended.
The spiritual connection had not.
Postpartum Pārvatī
Pārvatī was utterly exhausted.
Her body had endured pregnancy, hours of labor and the birth itself.
Her uterus was now contracting repeatedly to become smaller and firmer. This process, together with hormonal changes and healing at the placental attachment site, marked the beginning of postpartum recovery.
She felt weak and thirsty.
The attendants monitored her bleeding carefully. Normal postpartum discharge, called lochia, initially contains a significant amount of blood and is known as lochia rubra. Over subsequent days it normally becomes progressively lighter as the uterine lining heals.
Her bladder also required attention. After prolonged labor, temporary changes in bladder sensation and pelvic-floor function can occur, while the postpartum uterus and surrounding tissues can continue to create pressure. The attendants therefore helped her empty her bladder and observed that her urine output remained normal.
Yet Pārvatī refused to release her newborn.
The attendants carefully placed Andhaka upon her, and she held him against her heart.
Jaya adjusted the bedding beneath Pārvatī.
Laxmi brought warm water.
Ragini carefully arranged the coverings around mother and child.
Dhanvantari checked Pārvatī once more.
The Ashwini Kumars examined the newborn and confirmed that he was stable.
Kāma and Rati remained quietly nearby.
The atmosphere that had once seemed mysterious and sensuous now felt overwhelmingly peaceful.
The Beginning of Lactation
The hormonal transition continued. During pregnancy, high estrogen and progesterone levels had prepared the breasts for lactation while limiting full milk production. Following delivery of the placenta, those hormone levels fell, allowing prolactin to act more strongly on the mammary glands.
The first secretion was colostrum rather than mature milk. Colostrum is produced in relatively small quantities and is rich in antibodies, immune factors and nutrients suited to the newborn's earliest needs.
When Andhaka suckled, sensory signals from the breast stimulated the release of oxytocin, which helped eject milk from the mammary glands. The same hormone also reinforced the powerful physiological bond between mother and newborn.
Pārvatī looked down at him.
She had carried him.
She had endured the labor that brought him into the world.
When Andhaka finally cried, everything seemed suddenly quiet. The waterfall continued in the distance, but Pārvatī heard only her newborn's voice.
Her ornaments were disordered, her hair was loose and her painted nails were no longer pristine.
None of that mattered.
Now she held him safely in her arms.
She whispered:
"You have come home."
The child became quiet.
Outside, the first light of dawn touched the mountains.
The demon who had once lived in blindness had been given another beginning.
In his first life, Andhaka had been separated from his mother and had mistaken possession for love.
In his second life, he had returned to the very source from which he had come.
He was born from darkness into light, from separation into belonging, and from blindness into the knowledge that he was loved.
And this time, Pārvatī would make certain that he never forgot it.
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