The months had passed in a haze of anticipation and excitement, but as the day approached, Bhanu's heart grew heavy with worry. The early morning sun had barely touched the sky when he found himself pacing outside the birthing chamber, his steps restless and his mind clouded with unease. Vajra stood beside him, clutching his father's hand, his small face pale with concern, his eyes flickering nervously towards the door where the midwives and attendants hurried in and out.

The sounds from within—the occasional soft cries of pain, the murmured reassurances of the midwives—set Bhanu's heart racing. Suthanu had always been his strength, his anchor, and yet today she was the one in need of him. He wanted to be inside, to hold her hand, to let her know that he was there, but the customs held him outside. His fingers clenched and unclenched, his breath coming in shallow waves, while Vajra stood quietly, his wide eyes filled with fear and a silent determination to stay strong.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, a sudden stillness fell over the chamber. The cries subsided, replaced by a quiet, delicate sound—so small, so tender. A baby's cry.

Bhanu's heart leaped into his throat. His breath caught as he heard the midwife's voice, clear and joyous, calling from within, "It's a girl,our Rajakumari has come! The Goddess Durga has bestowed her blessings on us once again !"

For a moment, time seemed to stand still - for in the time of Navaratri : a baby girl's birth seemed to swell hearts. The weight of those words—the announcement of a new life, a baby girl—sank deep into Bhanu's heart, filling him with a joy so profound it felt like his chest might burst. His daughter. His little girl? It still was a haze. 

Vajra looked up at him, his eyes widening with a mix of awe and relief. Bhanu knelt down and pulled his son close, the two of them holding each other in silent joy. The family of Dwarka, gathered outside, erupted into cheers. Laughter filled the courtyard, and the sounds of bells rang in celebration. Krishna, Balarama, the chief queens and the people of the palace were all overcome with happiness, their hearts full of love for the newest member of their family and kingdom.

A midwife appeared, her face flushed but her eyes shining. She smiled, her voice soft as she spoke the words they had been waiting for.

"A daughter," she whispered. "A healthy baby girl and Rajakumari Suthanu is absolutely well."

For a moment, neither Bhanu nor Vajra moved. The weight of the news seemed too immense to comprehend. Then, as though a great cloud had lifted, Vajra exhaled sharply. 

"A baby sister?" he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.

The midwife nodded, stepping aside to allow them entry. "You may go to her."

Vajra didn't need to be told twice. He darted forward, though careful with each step, his heart beating wildly as he approached the chamber. Bhanu followed, slower, his own emotions a storm inside him.

The room was dim, a single oil lamp casting a soft glow over Suthanu's tired but radiant face. She lay propped against the pillows, her body still recovering from the intense labor, but her eyes were fixed on the tiny bundle nestled beside her. 

But Vajra's eyes went first to his mother. She looked so worn, so fragile in that moment, and it frightened him. He had never seen her like this. His heart clenched at the memory of her cries, a sound that had haunted him for hours. Without thinking, he rushed to her side, his small arms wrapping carefully around her as if afraid she might break under his touch. His head rested against her chest, and he whispered, voice shaking, "Maiya, are you alright?"

Suthanu smiled, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She stroked his hair, the gesture weak but filled with all the love she had. "I am, my lal. I'm alright now."

Vajra could feel her heart beating against his cheek, steady and reassuring, but the tears came anyway. "You were crying," he said softly, his voice trembling with the weight of his worry. "I didn't know what to do."

"Lal..." Suthanu murmured, her voice thick with emotion. 

Bhanu stood at the threshold, looking on the sight in front of him. His eyes moved from Vajra, who clung to Suthanu as if anchoring himself to her, to the tiny form of their newborn daughter lying peacefully beside them. His heart swelled. There they were—his family. His beautiful, strong, perfect family that defined his world.

His eyes found Suthanu first, lying against the pillows, her face glowing with an exhaustion he had never seen before and Vajra beside her. Yet there was something else—a light, a deep peace radiating from her even in her weariness. 

Bhanu's steps were slow, reverent, as if he were afraid to disturb the sacredness of the moment. His gaze was fixed on the small bundle, and with each step he took, the world around him seemed to shrink until it was only him, his wife, his son and their daughter. His daughter. He had dreamed of this moment, imagined it countless times in the quiet hours of the night, but nothing could have prepared him for the reality of it.

He reached the bedside, and for a second, he hesitated. His hand hovered just above the baby, trembling slightly. The intensity of his feelings was almost too much to bear. He glanced at Suthanu, who smiled gently, her eyes brimming with understanding. She nodded, a silent encouragement. 

With a deep breath, Bhanu slowly lowered his hand and touched his daughter's soft cheek. The moment his fingers brushed her skin, something within him broke—something deep, something sacred. It was as if the universe had cracked open, and all the love he had ever known, all the strength, all the tenderness, poured out of him in a single instant.

Her skin was impossibly soft, warmer than he had imagined. Bhanu's heart pounded as he traced her tiny features—the delicate curve of her cheek, the soft rise of her chest with each breath. And then, as if sensing his presence, the baby girl stirred. Her small lotus eyes fluttered open for just a moment, meeting her father's gaze for the first time.

Bhanu's breath caught in his throat. He felt as though he were looking into something infinite, something more profound than he could ever express. Those tiny eyes, still adjusting to the world, seemed to anchor themselves to him, and in that fleeting glance, Bhanu saw everything. He saw a future he hadn't dared to dream. He saw the joy and the laughter, the sleepless nights and the endless days of wonder. He saw his heart, laid bare before him in the form of this tiny, fragile being.

Tears welled up in his eyes, but he didn't fight them. He let them fall, unashamed, as he leaned closer, his voice trembling with emotion.

"My Bangaram" he whispered, barely able to speak. "My baby girl."

His daughter blinked slowly, her small mouth parting as if trying to respond, and in that moment, Bhanu was undone. He held her closer, careful not to disturb her too much, but needing to be close, needing to feel her warmth.

"Thalli , your presence has brought infinite happiness to my soul," he murmured, his voice breaking. 

His hand, large and calloused, dwarfed her tiny frame, but he held her with the utmost care, as if she were the most precious thing he had ever touched. And to him, she was as Vajra himself. She and Vajra were everything. He lifted her from the bed, cradling her against his chest, her small body fitting perfectly into the crook of his arm. As he held her, a deep sense of completeness washed over him. This was his daughter—his baby girl.

Bhanu closed his eyes, letting the weight of the moment sink in. He felt the rise and fall of her chest against his, heard the soft, rhythmic sound of her breathing. Every part of her, from the tips of her tiny fingers to the gentle slope of her nose, was a miracle. He could feel her warmth seeping into his very soul, and in that moment, nothing else mattered.

Suthanu watched from the bed, her own heart swelling at the sight of her husband , her son and their daughter. Bhanu, who had always been her strength, her pillar, was now standing before her completely unguarded, undone by the simple, profound love he felt for their child. She held Vajra closer feeling her heart fill with a happiness that was unmatched. 

The baby girl stirred slightly in his arms, her tiny fists clenching and unclenching as she snuggled closer to him. Bhanu laughed softly, brushing his lips against her forehead. "You have me Bangaram," he whispered to her, his voice soft but full of promise. "You have my heart, my soul. I will always be here for you, no matter what."

He looked up at Suthanu then, his eyes shining with tears, his smile full of wonder. "Thank you priyathama," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for giving me this gift. I... I don't even have the words."

Suthanu smiled, her own tears spilling over. 

As Bhanu looked down at his daughter again, a soft smile spread across his face. He kissed her gently on the forehead, whispering, "You are my heart, my Bangaram just like your brother. And I am yours. Forever."

Bhanu found Vajra's gaze on him.Bhanu smiled gently and motioned for his son to come closer.

"Come, lal," Bhanu said, his voice low and filled with emotion. "Come meet your baby sister."

Vajra's feet felt heavy as he walked forward to the other, every step bringing him closer to the tiny bundle cradled in his father's arms. When he finally reached them, he stood frozen for a moment, staring down at the small face peeking out from the swaddle of cloth. His heart seemed to stop, then beat faster than ever before.

She was so small. So impossibly small.

Her eyes were closed, her little nose scrunched up slightly as if she were dreaming, and her tiny mouth parted just enough to reveal the softest hint of breath. Vajra's eyes widened, his hands clenching at his sides as he stared at her in awe. She looked like something from another world, something fragile and perfect that he was almost afraid to touch.

Bhanu shifted slightly, bringing the baby closer so Vajra could see her better. "This is your sister," Bhanu whispered, his voice filled with reverence and utmost love. "Our little princess."

Vajra's eyes filled with tears before he even realized what was happening. He swallowed hard, trying to keep them at bay, but it was no use. His emotions overwhelmed him. He had never felt anything like this before—this fierce, protective love, this sense of connection to someone so new, so innocent.

"She's so tiny," Vajra whispered, his voice trembling with awe. "Is she alright, Pita? She's so... small."

Bhanu chuckled softly, his own eyes misting as he gazed at his son. "She's perfect, lal. She's just as she should be."

Slowly, Bhanu leaned forward, bringing the baby even closer to Vajra. "Would you like to hold her?" he asked gently.

Vajra's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, he shook his head, stepping back slightly. "I... I don't want to hurt her," he said, his voice barely audible.

Bhanu smiled, his heart swelling at his son's tenderness. "You won't hurt her, lal. I'll help you. She's stronger than she looks."

With great care, Bhanu adjusted his hold on the baby and gently guided Vajra's small hands to support her tiny form though one palm of his own hand was supporting. Vajra felt his heart pounding in his chest as the weight of his sister was transferred to him, her soft body resting against his arms. She was lighter than he had imagined, and yet, in that moment, she felt like the heaviest responsibility he had ever carried. 

For a long, breathless moment, Vajra just stared down at her. The world around him faded away, and all that existed was this tiny, perfect being in his arms. Her warmth seeped into him, filling him with a love so deep it almost hurt. His tears spilled over then, silent and uncontrollable, but he didn't care. He couldn't look away from her.

"She's my sister," he whispered to himself, his voice cracking with emotion. "JeevaNadhi, my Jeevaa?"

As if in response, the baby stirred slightly, her little fingers uncurling from the swaddle. One of her hands, so small and delicate, brushed against Vajra's arm, and he gasped softly at the contact. Her fingers, no bigger than flower petals, wrapped around his thumb, holding on to him with a surprising strength. 

In that moment, something shifted inside Vajra—something deep and unspoken. He felt a fierce, protective love well up within him, a love that was bigger than anything he had ever known. This tiny, fragile life was his responsibility now. He was her brother. He would protect her, care for her, love her with every part of his being.

"I'll take care of you," he whispered, his voice shaking with the weight of the promise. "I promise , always. I'll be a good elder brother"

Bhanu, watching the sight  before him, felt his heart swell with a pride and tenderness he had never known. He saw the way his son held his baby sister, the way his small arms cradled her with such care, such affection, and it nearly brought him to his knees. He had always known Vajra had a kind heart, but seeing him now, standing there with tears in his eyes, holding his sister as if she were the most precious thing in the world—it was more than Bhanu could have ever dreamed. Suthanu's throat tightened for a splitting moment , she could find her own brothers in Vajra and herself in their baby girl. 

"She's lucky to have you," Bhanu whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You're going to be the good brother, lal."

Vajra looked up at his father, his eyes still brimming with tears, but he smiled—an innocent, pure smile that lit up his face. "I love her, Pita," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "I love her so much."

Bhanu reached out, placing a gentle hand on his son's shoulder, his own heart overflowing with love for both of his children. "I know, lal. I can see it in your eyes. And she'll love you, too. She already does."

Vajra, still holding his baby sister close, leaned down and pressed the softest kiss to her forehead. His tears had slowed, but the love he felt for her only grew stronger.

"You're safe with me," he whispered to her. "Always, Jeevaa."

And in that moment, with his sister in his arms, Vajra felt as though his heart had found a new home—one he would cherish and protect for the rest of his life.

After a few days,

The sunlight bathed the grand hall in a golden glow as the soft murmur of guests quieted, their eyes fixed on the center where the sacred fire flickered. Vajra stood beside his mother and father, his little hand wrapped around Bhanu's finger, as they awaited the moment when the name of his baby sister would be spoken aloud to the world.

Gargi, the revered kula guru of Dwarka, stood with a serene expression. His eyes, wise and deep, fell on the tiny bundle in Suthanu's arms. He stepped forward, his voice calm yet resonating with authority.

"As we gather here to bless this little one, it is time for her name to be revealed, a name that will echo her spirit, her path in this life."

Vajra's heart raced as he looked at his baby sister, her small face so peaceful. He knew today was special, but he couldn't quite grasp the weight of it all. He squeezed his father's hand a little tighter, feeling the steady warmth that Bhanu always seemed to give.

Gargi's voice rose again, his gaze resting on Suthanu for a moment before he spoke to the assembly. "When I spoke with Rajakumari Suthanu before this day, she shared with me her deepest wish for her daughter. It was then that she revealed to me something truly beautiful."

The hall grew still, everyone's breath held as they waited for Gargi's next words. Even Bhanu, usually so composed, was watching him with a curious expression, unaware of what was to come.

"She told me," Gargi continued, his voice softening, "that the name could be connected in some way with Bhanu."

A soft murmur spread through the hall as those present wanted to know more with a fond smile. Bhanu's eyes widened, his gaze immediately shifting to Suthanu, who looked up at him with a quiet, loving smile.

Gargi went on, his tone gentle, as if he was speaking directly to Bhanu now. "Suthanu wanted their daughter to bear a part of her husband's name. For she believes," Gargi said, his voice filled with happiness, "that just as the sun, Bhanu, lights their lives with his love, their daughter should carry that same light into the world.And , she was already the light to her family's own light."

Bhanu's breath caught in his throat. He hadn't expected this—this profound gift. The surprise and emotion that washed over him felt overwhelming. He glanced at Suthanu, and in her eyes, he saw the depth of her love, her quiet devotion that needed no words.

He wanted to speak, to say something that would express the gratitude, the love, the awe he felt in this moment, but words failed him. He could only reach for her hand, his fingers trembling slightly as he clasped hers. It was as if the whole world had paused, and in that pause, their connection deepened, unspoken but understood.

Bhanu's eyes glistened as he held Suthanu's hand, the emotions within him swirling like a river ready to overflow. He had always known Suthanu to be quiet in her affections, subtle in her expressions of love, but this—this gesture of naming their daughter after him—was something he hadn't expected. His heart swelled with gratitude, awe, and a love so deep that it felt as though the whole universe stood still in reverence of it.

Gargi, ever perceptive, smiled warmly at the couple before turning his attention back to the assembly. The silence was thick with anticipation, as if the very air waited to be filled with the sacredness of the moment. The guests leaned in slightly, eager to hear the name that would be spoken aloud for the first time.

"She will be called Bhanumati," Gargi said, his voice deep and full of meaning. He let the name linger in the air, allowing its weight to settle into the hearts of all who heard it. "This name, like the rays of the sun, carries profound significance. Bhanu means the sun, the source of light, warmth, and life. But Bhanumati—she is not just the sun. She is the one who carries the brilliance of the sun within her."

The soft murmurs in the hall turned to quiet awe as Gargi continued, his voice resonating with ancient wisdom. "She will be a guiding light in the lives of those she touches, just as her father is the light in the lives of his family. Her name will be a constant reminder that within her, she carries not only the warmth of love but the strength, the brilliance, and the power of the sun. She will radiate kindness and strength, and like the sun, she will rise after every dark night, illuminating the path for others."

Vajra, standing beside his parents, felt a sense of pride swell within him. He didn't fully understand all the words, but he knew that his sister was special. Bhanumati, he thought. His sister was like the sun, just like their father. He would protect her, just as his father protected him. His heart raced with the determination only a child could feel so purely. 

Bhanu's chest tightened at Gargi's words. He looked down at his daughter, so small, so fragile, yet already carrying a name with so much weight, so much meaning. His daughter, Bhanumati—his light, his reflection, his own sun. He glanced at Suthanu, and the gratitude he felt for her, for their love, washed over him in waves. He leaned closer, his voice soft but filled with emotion.

"Priyathama," he whispered, "you have given me a gift beyond words."

Suthanu smiled up at him, her eyes filled with the depth of her love. She smiled noticing her daughter's rise her tiny hand to Bhanu's chest, where his heart beat steadily. "You are her sun, Adi," she said softly. "Just as you are mine."

Bhanu felt the tears prick his eyes again, but this time, he didn't fight them. He let the emotions flow freely, unabashedly, because in this moment, there was nothing to hide. His love for Suthanu, for their children, was as vast and deep as the sky that held the very sun whose name they now bestowed on their daughter.

But Bhanu wasn't finished. There was another name he wanted his daughter to carry, a name that would bind them all together—in a way that was sacred for himself. 

"As her father," Bhanu began, his voice thick with emotion, "I wish to give her another name that her family can call her with. A name that honors not just the divine light within her but also the strength and grace of the goddess." He paused, looking at Suthanu, his heart full. "I name her Shambavi."

Smiles rippled through the hall, for the name Shambavi was not given lightly. It was a name that invoked the blessings of the goddess, of Parvati, the mother of the universe, who symbolized grace, power, and the eternal bond between Shiva and Shakti.

"Shambavi," Bhanu repeated softly, his eyes never leaving Suthanu's. "The one who embodies the strength of the goddess herself. Our daughter will carry both the light of the sun and the strength of the mother nature. She will be our protector, our guide,our strength, just as you, Suthanu, have been mine."

Suthanu's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected this—this beautiful connection between their daughter's name and her own role in Bhanu's life. She felt overwhelmed by the depth of his love, a love that saw her not just as his wife but as his anchor, his strength. In that moment, Bhanu had voiced the truth of his heart once more - he saw her as more than just the mother of his children—he saw her as his equal, his partner in every way, the one who completed him, just as Parvati was to Shiva.

Tears slipped down Suthanu's cheeks as she looked at Bhanu, her heart overflowing. "Shambavi," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. 

Bhanu nodded, his hand gently stroking their daughter's head. "Yes," he said softly. "Our little Shambavi—our Bhanumati—will carry our love, our light, and the strength of the divine within her. She is the thread that connects us, the sun that rises every day to remind us of the love we have built together and the light we can always hope for."

The Pandavas and Draupadi shared a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. This moment, this celebration of new life, was more than just a naming ceremony—it was a testament to the bonds that held them all together, through joy and sorrow, through battles won and lost. And now, in the laughter of their children and the sight of their beloved family, they found peace.

Krishna's eyes glistened as he looked once more at Vajra, Bhanu, and Suthanu, and then at little Bhanumati, resting peacefully in her mother's arms. Krishna's voice was within his mind, filled with the gravitas of the divine as he continued. " I bless you ladli with the courage to walk your path fearlessly, and as the Narayana, I grant you the protection of the universe. No harm shall touch you, no darkness shall dim your light. This is my blessing and thus , it shall be true."

To be continued...

Finally the much awaited part of Bhanumati's birth. I won't be able to cover her in detail in this book since it is focussed on Vajra's life but if anyone is willing to write on her ; I would love to support. 

For those who wanted double updates , I was about to post it in the morning after making the final editing. Hence the slight delay sorry. 

Will reply to all the comments very soon. They truly mean a lot to me and make my day wonderful. 

So , we are done with 25 chapters ( 24 + prologue ) ; how has the journey been so far? Are you all liking it? 

Target - 80 votes 

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