The Vow of Parvati

by Aditi Banerjee

‘Brahma may be the Creator,’ she whispered to them, ‘but males just don’t have an eye for this sort of thing.’

it was for this that fire was the one element of Earth that could never be contaminated. Water and air could, but never fire. It purified all.

They were not genealogical sisters, but the three were the triumvirate of the foremost devis and thought of themselves as sister devis—Saraswati, Lakshmi and Sati.

All these notions of modesty and chastity were new and in vogue among the current generation. But it had not always been like this, and the newfangled notions should not be imposed on the elders, believed Sati.

‘But I am the god of death,’ Rudra replied smoothly. His voice was like the ocean, unfathomable and still, ancient and bottomless.

‘And it is for me to make sure that whatever lives, dies well. Far better for this flower to die early, in the hands of one who loves it, than to die forgotten and alone in this remote corner of the universe some weeks or months from now.’ He placed the flower in her palm without touching her.

bloomed best when tucked into her hair.

The world became darker, stormier, uncontrolled.

For those who have been abandoned, I will be there. This flower you tended so carefully, how quickly you discard it now that it has died. But I shall carry it with me forever.

To love something,

you must love it all the way through, even...

If he was grey and white, a large wave of red petals blossomed deep within her, like the rippling of silk. It spread from her belly to her heart to her head and legs, every inch of her. It was blinding light and nourishing heat; it was the movement of life. It was a surge of something so powerful and fierce that she repressed it with a shudder, afraid that it would break her apart.

With each shiver, volcanoes erupted and the land began quaking beneath their feet.

‘Of course, I am not opposed to marrying you.’

‘I think you are my home,’ she said, this time her voice firm.

Nandi pawed the ground. I am a celibate bull, but it looks like even I know more about marriage than you.

Who in this cosmos could pose a threat to you, after all? From your own heartbreak.

I was so desolate without you that the colour of the water changed to black and has remained black ever since.’

‘Are we there yet?’ he asked in a petulant voice. At that, Nandi smiled with relief. The child was still there in him yet.

Thus was born Ganesha, the second son of Shiva and Parvati.