Love is not lost

Rati’s grief forced Shiva to forgive Kamadev and give him back his life. To regain his existence as a god, however, Kamdev had to take on a human avatar for one life cycle. Rati too asked to be reborn as a human so that she could be with her husband.

Rati was born as Mayavati, a servant in the palace of an Asura called Sambara and Kamdev as Pradyumna, the son of Krishna and Subhadra. Now the gods had predicted that Sambara would be killed by the son of Krishna.

In order to ensure that the gods did not get their way, Sambara kidnapped Pradyumna, months after he was born. He threw him into the river, expecting him to drown or be eaten up by a sea monster. Pradyumna however was a god and gods don't die. He was swallowed by a large fish that was trapped by a fisherman who took it to the market in the town where Sambara lived. The fish was bought by Mayawati.

The fish lay on the table in Sambara’s kitchen. A fish as big as this one needed an expert hand to slice it open and so it fell to Mayavati to do the deed. As she did so, the baby inside let out a cry. Shocked and afraid, for she knew her master was killing every baby boy in the neighbourhood, she hid the child. Soon, Mayavati discovered that hiding this child was not a difficult proposition at all. He was invisible to everyone but her and in a divine flash, she realised that the gods had sent Kamadev back. Pradyumna grew up in Sambara’s house and all was well until a wild rumour spread through town. Rumour had it that Sambara’s killer was alive and living in his own house.

Sambara was livid. He summoned Mayavati for an explanation. When she refused to answer his questions, he tortured her and threatened to kill her. Incensed, Pradyumna made himself visible and slew Sambara. Love won and Pradyumna and Mayavati were wed. After living out his life in his human avatar, Pradyumna and Mayavati were reinstated in heaven where they continue to spread love among all.