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| Comic cover art Image Source: Blogspot |
- Shiva's father in law was very rude to him, insulting whenever he got a chance
- Sati, Shiva's wife was so embarrassed that she ended up giving up her body
- After Sati's death, Shiva returned to the Himalayas to meditate.
- Near where Shiva meditated lived a mountain king who married a beautiful nymph named Menaka, and they were very popular among their subjects
- The King and Queen had a daughter they named Parvati
- But, in reality Parvati was just Sati reincarnated. This time she could have a dad who was proud of her and not embarrass her like in her previous life.
- Parvati grew to be a gorgeous young lady, and her parents were already looking for a husband for her. A sage (named Narada) visited and told the King and Queen that Parvati would belong to none other than the mighty Lord Shiva
- Her father, Himavat wanted nothing but the best for her so he decided to not pursue Shiva and wait for the sage's prophecy to come true.
- Himavat got impatient and decided to hurry the process by taking Parvati and a couple of her friends to attend to Shiva while he meditated and help him with his rituals.
- Shiva gave his thanks for the thoughtful gesture and accepted the girls' help.
- Parvati began to take care of many things for Shiva in great detail and went above and beyond to make sure he had all he needed. She began to fall in love with him. Her friends did the bare minimum.
- In heaven, there was trouble. The gods led by Indra came to Brahma, and Brahma asked why they looked so saddened.
- Taraka, the wicked asura, has become a big threat.
- terrorizing their people, seized heaven, destroyed gardens and have taken their women as slaves.
- The gods want a chief to lead them against Taraka and defeat them.
- Brahma could not find a way to help, because Brahma had given him a boon in the past so he could not be destroyed.
- He remembered that Shiva was destined to marry Parvati, so he promised that the first son born to them after their wedding would be their war lord and kill Taraka
- Brahma went to Kama, the God of Love and asked for his help in rushing the process of Shiva falling in love with Parvati.
- Kama and his wife Rati went to try to get Shiva to fall in love with Parvati
- As soon as Kama approached Shiva he had seconds thoughts, then saw Parvati's beauty and got his confidence back
- Overcome with thanks, Shiva proclaimed that Parvati would be blessed with a husband that loves no one but she
- Kama shot an arrow and it hit Shiva, he momentarily had loving thoughts of Parvati, then composed himself.
- Full of rage that someone dare disturb his peaceful soul. He looked upon Kama and he was burnt to ashes.
- Rati fainted with one look at him.
- Shiva left without looking at Parvati and she felt grief and shame. She saw her father approach and she ran to him.
- Parvati and her father returned home with sadness. Rati awoke in great sadness for the loss of her husband. A voice told her that Kama would return to her on Shiva and Parvati's wedding day.
- Parvati was determined to win over Shiva in penance and devotion if he did not appreciate her beauty. She asked her parents to grant her permission and a grove to spend her days in penance and prayer. They consented. She shed any fine material belongings and went to the grove.
- She ate very little or next to nothing and slept on the cold damp ground. Hermits would come to watch and marvel at her.
- "She is aparna" *lady of the unbroken fast*
- She would sit in a pool of icy water and preform her rituals. This happened for years and eventually a hermit came to see her, questioning how someone with such a small frame could handle such dedication. He dedication and penance had enhanced her beauty.
- The hermit promised her half his merits if she would just give up and go home. He said that only the lonely and torn by grief take on such a life. If only she would explain her reasoning.
- Parvati had her friend explain to the hermit why she led such a life.
- "Oh holy one it is true! I adore great Shiva. I am sure that I will win his love by penance and devotion."
- The hermit went to speak ill of Shiva, and Parvati's anger flared until she could no longer keep it in.
- "It takes a great soul to know a great soul!"
- "Low creatures can never understand lofty motives. Your tongue gives away your evil mind!"
- "Shiva neither impresses no is impressed by outward appearances. His values are different from yours."
- "His failings may be many and his virtues few, but I love him"
- She asked her friends to make the hermit leave. Before Parvati turned to leave he blocked her path and revealed himself to be Shiva
- Shiva declared that she had won him with her words and devotion and Parvati stated that her father must be asked for her hand. Shiva called upon the seven Rishis and acknowledged that his first born son would be their war lord, and to call upon Himavat for Parvati's hand in marriage.
- The wedding took place. The gods requested that Kama be restored to Rati, and it was so. The gods reminded Shiva, after a few years, of their need for a son to be born to both he and Parvati. Shiva gave them a seed and said that when the seed was ripe a child emerge and give them what they want.
- The seed was so hot it was unbearable and had to be taken to the Ganga river to be cooled off. As soon as the seed was in the river it made the river bubble and the seed was thrown to the shore. Nymphs found it and placed it near some Shara grass.
- Kartikeya was then born at that moment. The nymphs, Ganga (in the form of a woman), and the gods appeared to try to claim the child with six faces. Shiva and Parvati appeared and picked up the child and carried it back to Mount Kailas.
- Fast forward a a few years and Kartikeya grew up and led the gods in a fierce battle against the evil Taraka and defeated him.
- Indra was restored to the throne and happiness came to heaven yet again.
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