While listening to the tales of Lord Shiva, Parvati, and their kids Kartikey, Ashok Sundari, and Ganesha, we have always wondered about the birth of these three precious gems of Shiv-Shakti. Why didn’t Goddess Parvati give birth to them like other women? Why didn’t she carry them in her womb for nine months as other women do? It is not that she is a goddess, hence she cannot become pregnant. Even Goddess Lakshmi and Ksheera (the goddess of milk) too became pregnant with their kids Kama Dev, Amaravalli, Sundaravalli, and Naag Kanya Sulochana. But why didn’t she? It is all because of the curse she got from Goddess Lakshmi.

The Beginning of the Curse

As we know that Goddess Gauri tried several methods to win Lord Shiva’s heart before their marriage. But every time she failed. As Gauri was truly devoted towards Shiva from her body, heart, and soul, all the gods and goddesses decided to help her win Shiva’s heart. But Lord Shiva always found Gauri as an irritating person who was just after him. Hence, to get rid of her, he decided to go for meditation.

Seeking Narayan’s Help

As Lord Shiva went into meditation, Gauri’s anxiety increased. She decided to seek Narayan’s help. According to Hindu Mythology, it is the most challenging task to impress Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva and Brahma can be pleased easily, but Narayan cannot. But seeing Parvati’s tough penance, he decided to help her out.

The Sacrifice of Kama Dev

He told his son Kama Dev, the god of love and sexual desire, to shoot with his sugarcane bow and floral arrow and break Lord Shiva’s penance. Kama Dev obeyed his father’s orders and sacrificed his life as Lord Shiva’s third eye burnt him to ashes.

Goddess Lakshmi’s Curse

Goddess Lakshmi could not bear the demise of her only son and fired up in anger, she cursed Parvati that she would never be able to become pregnant as she was the reason why her son had to sacrifice his life. Parvati accepted Goddess Lakshmi’s curse as she knew it was Goddess Lakshmi who gave the curse, but it was the mother of Kama Dev. A woman can bear anything but never the loss of her child.

Lakshmi’s Departure from Vaikuntha

Goddess Lakshmi went into severe depression. She got angry with her husband and all the gods and goddesses and decided to leave Vaikuntha. There is nothing without Lakshmi. Vaikuntha lost its charm, the devas and swarga lost their wealth and prosperity.

Narayan’s Consolation and the Promise of Rebirth

It was important to calm down Lakshmi’s anger and it was only Narayan who could do this. He went to Lakshmi and told her that their son had only left his mortal body. His soul was still alive and he shall take re-incarnations. He shall be born from her womb only. In Treta Yug as Luv, the eldest son of Ram and Sita, and in Dwapar Yug as Pradyumna, the eldest son of Krishna and Rukmini.

A Mother’s Hope

A lamp of hope rose in Lakshmi’s heart that once again she could hold her son in her arms, cuddle with him, sing lullabies for him, and feed him with her own hands. Now all she wanted was time to pass as soon as possible so that she could again reunite with her son.