Mahabharata - The Retold Story of Karna

Unusual Child

9 Months Later

Devi Sangya had been feeling pain in her back and lower abdomen for the past few hours. She thought they were false contractions since they were too painful but now they have become very intense. She suddenly feels a powerful contraction and can't hold her voice anymore. She shouts for Surya Dev.

"Devi Sangya what happened?" Surya Dev questions.

"Arya, I think I am in labor," Devi Sangya replies through the pain.

"WHAT!" Surya Dev exclaims. He starts to panic, not knowing what to do. He goes out of their chambers and starts shouting about Devi Sangya's condition.

As Surya Dev was panicking, a bright light flashed beside him. He turned to see who had come. He was relieved to find Devi Shashti, goddess of vegetation, reproduction, and protector of children. She was known to help mothers through childbirth.

"Devi Shashti, my heart has calmed a little after seeing you. Please help my wife. She is having labor pains," Surya Dev says.

"Don't worry Surya Dev. The Tridevs and Tridevis have asked me to assist your wife through childbirth. Please show me to where she is," Devi Shashti says calmly.

"Of course, come this way," Surya Dev says as he leads Devi Shashti towards his chambers. Once inside they see Devi Sangya lying down on the bed with tears flowing from her eyes. Surya Dev tries to go and comfort his wife but Devi Shashti asks him to wait outside. Reluctantly, Surya Dev leaves the chambers.

As he waits outside Surya Dev starts pacing. By now everyone in the family has heard the news and is waiting outside patiently. Surya Dev flinches every time he hears a scream from his wife. His family had to stop him many times from barging into the chambers.

After a few hours of the torturous wait, they hear the loudest scream and then the cries of a baby. Hearing the cries Surya Dev walks into the chambers to meet his child and check on his wife. When he walks in the sight that meets his eyes fills his heart with happiness.

"Surya Dev your child is truly a divine being. They have your radiance and the loveliest features. Their lotus-like eyes and round little face have truly mesmerized me, who has seen many children before. They are born to be special, that is for sure," says Devi Shashti.

Surya Dev notices that she is not using any gender-specific pronouns and asks her, "Devi Shashti, I am happy to hear your thoughts but why have not specified my child's gender yet?"

Devi Shashti answers, "Surya Dev, I have not specified the gender of the child because ze belongs to the third gender. Ze is born with the features of both males and females. Your child is quite special to be able to be both a man and a woman but at the same time ze is neither man nor woman."

"How is this possible Devi Shashti? How can my child be both a man and a woman but at the same time ze is neither man nor woman?" he questions.

"It is zir niyati. Do not let zir physical attributes change your love for zir. Ze is a divine being despite everything and ze is meant for great things. Besides ze is the cutest child I have ever seen," Devi Shashti says.

"Oh no. I do not mean it in that way Devi Shashti. I am simply curious. I will love my child no matter how ze may look or be. I am happy that I can finally meet zir," Surya Dev says. He walks towards the bed where his wife and child lie, sleeping peacefully. Upon looking at his child's features he is instantly mesmerized. He knows that no matter what he will love this child with all his being.

Devi Sangya wakes to see her husband admiring their child. She says, "Isn't ze the loveliest child, Arya? Our child is so precious. Ze can learn the ways of both men and women. Ze will be able to share both of our interests."

Surya Dev replies, "You are right as always Devi Sangya. We must name zir."

"That's right," Devi Sangya says, "Have you thought of a name?"

"How about Kiran?" Surya dev asks.

"I love that name Arya," Devi Sangya says as she turns to her baby, "Kiran, our ray of light."

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A/N - Done with chapter two! FYI - "ze" and "zir" and gender-neutral pronouns replacing "he/she" and "his/him/her/hers"

Thank you for reading, let me know what you think.