Chapter 2: 2. Getting Adopted
At Mt. Kailash
Seeing the child, the motherly instinct of Devi Parvati was instantly triggered and she ran towards the baby and picked him up. She started to craddle him in her arms and trying to make him smile.
Seeing his wife, Shiva came after her and smiled at the seen of his wife playing with the child. It didn't take him long to find out that this child is their son born from both of their energies. He has a fair complexion like gods and a beauty that will make even Kama Dev feel jealous.
He has onyx black eyes that seem to absorb all light, silky black hair and born with 1000 arms and 500 heads, of course they are not always out but are retractable. He also seems to have a third eye in the center of his forehead just like Shiva.
But, then Shiva sensed something off about him. After focusing he found out that this child has an aura of both Deva and Asura. While this does not really matter to him as Shiva doesn't discriminate between anyone but other Devas will create problems about this.
As he was thinking of a solution for this he heard the prayer of his devotee Hiranyaksha, the King of Asura, who has been praying to him for 1000s of year in hope for getting a son.
"Swami, what are you thinking. Come and see this child, our firstborn." Said Parvati. Who in her joy of motherhood hadn't sensed the aura of child till now.
"Parvati, yes this is our first child, our firstborn. But...but you didn't sensed the aura of the child in your joy of motherhood. He has the aura of both the Deva and Asura. While we may not have any problem with this, Deva may try to harm him because of this." Shiva explained to her.
"Who will try to harm our son. The son of Mother of Cosmos and the Destroyer themself. I will erase their very existence from the universe." Parvati replied in anger.
Shiva sighed deeply knowing that a lengthy argument is coming in which he will have to tread carefully with Parvati, who while calm normally can even make him afraid while angry. He calmly explained to her and tried to explain to her to look at this from bigger point of view, of Adi Shakti rather than as a mother.
"But what will happen with our child. We will not just abandon him, will we?" Parvati questioned sadly and painfully, already feeling the loss of separation from her first child.
"My devotee Hiranyaksha has been praying to me for thousands of years for a son and now the time has come to complete his wish. I will give our son to him. He will take good care of our son and our son will grow up like a prince." Shiva consoles her.
"But Swami, atleast give a name to our firstborn before you take him away. Atleast leave a name through which I can remember him." Parvati said.
"He is born from the darkness of the world and our combined energy. He has dominion over darkness itself. So he shall be name Andhaka ( Derived from Sanskrit word Andhakaar means darkness)." Shiva said, announcing to the cosmos the name of their mighty firstborn.
Finally relenting she let Shiva take their son with him. While she after wiping her tears and putting a fake smile on her face went to answer the question of Devas that were gathering outside of Kailash.
Meanwhile, in Pataal Lok (the Netherworld)
Shiva appeared infront of Hiranyaksha, the King of Asura, who was so engrossed in his prayer that he hasn't noticed the presence of Lord Shiva.
"Open your eyes, Vatsa (devotee/child)" Shiva said. Hearing the voice and noticing the calming aura in this Netherworld, Hiranyaksha finally opened his eyes and looked at the God he worships.
He joint his hands (in Indian style) and greeted the Lord and said "My life is blessed Prabhu (Synonym of God) that you came infront of me. The purpose of my life is achieved." (He is not buttering him up. He is really a great devotee and really feels like this. And even if he was it will be waste as the Gods of Trinity are three capital O's).
"Your devotion brought me here Hiranyaksha. I am impressed by your devotion. Ask for any boon you want from me. Anything you want will be given other than immortality, which is against the rules cosmos." Shiva told him.
"Prabhu, me and my wife don't have any child. My rule is insecure without a hire for my throne. So I want a strong and powerful son who is undefeatable in battle, may it be in valour and bravery, strategy and tactics, skills in astra and shastra (divine weapons with different supernatural proerties and normal weapons) who cannot be overcome through trickery & deceit and should be a just and wise ruler." Hiranyaksha asked.
"Tathastu (Sanskrit for Your wish is granted), Vatsa." Shiva said while making Andhaka appear there and said "This child will be undefeatable in battle and could not be overcome through trickery. He is born from my energy so he is my ansh (Sanskrit for part)."
"Thank you Lord, thank you for listening to this childless man and providing me with this child." Hiranyaksha said. And than Shiva began to leave the place after taking a last look at the child.
Hiranyaksha, overjoyed takes a look at the child and is impressed by the energy coming out of him. He takes the child to his palace where his whole family is assembled along with the teacher of Asura or daitya (interchangeable terms) Shukracharyaa.
The family consists of his wife Rishabhanu, his younger brother Hiranyakashyap or Hiranyakashipuu and his two wives Sumukhi and Kayadhu, his younger sister Holika whose marriage is already arranged with the younger brother of Puloma, the Danava king, Viprachitti.
All were happy to see that their brother or brother-in-law have a son and they have a nephew but the most delighted from this was Rishabhanu who finally has a son to complete her motherly nature and now that she doesn't have to face the eyes of the people for not having any children.
"Here is our prince, a part of lord Shiva himself. One who is undefeated in battle." Hiranyaksha announced joyfully with the pride of a father shining in his eyes. Than he passed on the child to his mother who is overjoyed.
The whole family was delighted for their elder brother and student in Shukracharyaa's case and for finally having a crown prince. Than the prince was shown to the whole Daitya population of Netherworld from the balcony of the palace.
________________________________________
Author's Note
I know in wikipedia Hiranyaksha is younger than Hiranyakashyap but Hiranyaksha was killed first and he was king of Asura at that time. So by that Hiranyaksha was older.