Chapter 4:Birth Of Rudra ( II )

Shankar announces the infant's name, Rudra. Suddenly, the surroundings become quiet. When Shankar turns to see why everyone has become silent, he notices his parents and sister looking at him with surprise.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Shankar asks them, puzzled by their stares.

"Shankar, you gave him a good name," Abhinaya says in disbelief, examining Shankar as if he were an alien.

There is a moment of silence as everyone processes the news.

"Time for my grandson to be born, and my son starts using his brain," Janaki says seriously, offering a prayer to God.

Shankar becomes speechless when he sees the antics of his mother and sister.

"Don't make fun of him, Abi," Chandrakanth says, placing his hand on Shankar's shoulder and looking at Rudra.

"Mapla (son-in-law), let me have a look," Sudha takes Rudra from Shankar's arms carefully and starts to adore him.

Rudra falls asleep in Sudha's arms, so she gently places him in the crib near Gayathri's bed. Everyone leaves the room, taking their seats outside, except Sudha and Janaki, who stay to soothe the child in case he wakes up.

After half an hour, Gayathri wakes up and looks around the room. Her gaze falls on a poster on the wall, which is a picture of a baby.

Suddenly, she remembers and tries to get up from the bed, but she feels completely drained of energy.

Sudha notices Gayathri waking up and helps her sit on the bed, placing a pillow behind her back for support.

"Gayathri, be careful," Sudha says, holding Gayathri's hand and assisting her.

Janaki enters the room, carrying Rudra, who is wrapped in white clothes, revealing only his face.

"Here is your son," Janaki says with a bright smile, passing Rudra to Gayathri, who takes him delicately as if he were the most valuable and fragile thing in the world. She looks at him with a bright smile, her eyes welling up with tears of joy at becoming a mother.

For a moment, she thinks about the times when others spoke behind her back, criticizing her for not being a mother, and she appreciates the unwavering support of her husband and family during difficult times.

Janaki and Sudha notice Gayathri's tears and place their hands on her shoulders, comforting her.

Gayathri is mesmerized by her son's charm.

"I must be the best mother for my son," she thinks, looking at his peaceful sleeping face, making a promise to herself.

"He is cute, right?" Janaki asks with a teasing smile, trying to change Gayathri's mood.

"He is. I must give him a good name that suits him. Unlike your son, I know very well how messed up your naming sense is," Gayathri says, looking at her son and speaking in a determined voice, making it clear that she will not tolerate anyone, including her husband, messing with her son.

Janaki and Sudha are silent, looking at each other helplessly. They don't know how to respond to the protective mama bear before them.

The door to the room opens, and Shankar and others enter, carrying fruits and horlicks, chatting and smiling.

"The tourist is awake, huh? Do you want to drink free juice?" Shankar asks Gayathri playfully, not realizing the storm that awaits him.

"Did you name my son before I woke up?" Gayathri wastes no time and asks the question directly.

"Huh?"

"Yeah, but I..." Shankar finally understands what is going on with his wife and smiles awkwardly, admitting that he named their son.

"Shankar, are you serious? The world knows about your terrible naming sense," Gayathri fumes in anger.

"Gayu, this... this time I gave him a good name. Believe me, Gayu," Shankar tries to convince his wife that he gave their son a suitable name.

"Tell me the name. If the name doesn't suit our son, I will change it immediately," Gayathri says, pausing for a second before demanding to know the name he chose for their son.

"I named him Rudra," Shankar tells his wife, revealing the name he chose for their child.

"What?!" Gayathri's eyes widen in disbelief.

"I can't believe you came up with this name," she says, still processing the news.

"This time, I forgive you," she says, her anger subsiding.

When Shankar mentions the name, Rudra, Rudra wakes up in Gayathri's arms. Gayathri notices the mark on his forehead.

"Mother, did you draw this mark on his forehead to ward off evil spirits?" she asks her mother-in-law, Janaki, who had held Rudra before her.

"No, I didn't draw the mark. It was there from the moment I saw him in Shankar's arms," Janaki shakes her head, clarifying that she did not make the mark on Rudra's forehead.

The door opens, and the doctor enters the room to check on the condition of the mother and child. When she hears their conversation about the mark, she explains that it is a birthmark, and she is surprised to see one at birth.

When Shankar and others hear that the mark on their son's forehead is a birthmark, their eyes widen in surprise.

Kailash...

Today, Kailash is filled with excitement and anticipation, resembling a festival, as everyone eagerly awaits the news of the birth of a certain infant.

Goddess Parvati is cooking various types of food with a joyful expression, preparing to celebrate the birth of Mahadev.

Ganesha's and Karthikeya's wives are helping Parvati in the kitchen, assisting with the preparations.

Ganesha and Karthikeya are decorating the entire Kailash with decorations and flowers to celebrate the birth of their lord.

While this is happening, Nandi and others are eagerly waiting for good news, with Nandi wearing an impatient expression but a bright smile of happiness.

While everyone is busy, Parvati, Ganesha, and Karthikeya use their divine sense to observe the scene where Gayathri is experiencing labor pains, eagerly awaiting the birth.

Not only in Kailash but also in Vikundam, Lord Narayan and Goddess Lakshmi are observing the mortal realm, witnessing the birth of Mahadev, also known as Adhi, meaning existence before creation.

In Brahma Lok, Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswathi also observe the mortal realm through their divine sense, witnessing Gayathri's labor pains and the imminent birth.

The entire Deva Lok is tense, preparing to protect the soon-to-be-born Mahadev in case any Asuras attempt to attack the mortal realm, even though it is not necessary according to Devendra's orders. The gods remain vigilant.

In Kailash, while Ganesha and Karthikeya are happily chatting with their wives, Nandi anxiously awaits the good news, his face filled with impatience. They are discussing the love Shankar has for his wife and unborn child.

While they are chatting, Parvati is watching the scene where Gayathri is screaming in labor pain, praying for the safety of her son and daughter-in-law.

When Ganesha hears Shankar's prayers, he blesses him.

"Brother, look at him. He doesn't know that he is the luckiest person in the universe," Ganesha says, looking at his brother Karthikeya, who also observes the scene.

"Yes, Ganesh. I think he will be a good father," Karthikeya nods, satisfied, as he looks at Shankar's love for his wife and unborn child.

While Ganesha and Karthikeya chat happily about Shankar's love, their wives included, Nandi's impatience continues to grow. However, he has a bright smile of happiness on his face.

As they chat, Goddess Parvati continues to pray to the Shiva linga in front of her, feeling genuine happiness.

"Swami, finally, I was able to see you," Parvati says, looking at the Shiva linga and placing a bael leaf on top of it.

Lord Narayan and Lord Brahma bless the newborn Mahadev and wish him success in fulfilling his duty without any hindrance.

Two days pass...

Gayathri and Rudra are discharged from the hospital. Shankar and Nandhan complete the formalities, and they all enter Nandhan's car.

The car arrives at Shankar's house.

Gayathri opens the door and exits the car, followed by Nandhan and Shankar. She stands near the gate, holding Rudra in her arms.

"Wait, let me perform the ritual to ward off bad spirits from you and Rudra first," Janaki comes forward with a plate.

The women's arrived at the house ahead of time to prepare the house and conduct the ritual to protect against negative influences.

After completing the ritual, Gayathri enters the house, followed by Shankar and Nandhan.

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************

(Author's POV)

It is important to note that this story is a fusion of the modern world and Indian mythology.

The intention is not to harm or offend anyone's religious beliefs.

Thanks for reading the chapter! Please give a review for this chapter and a power stone!!!