The Divine Birth
From the divine union of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Queen Rukmiṇī, a radiant child was born—Pradyumna, none other than the reincarnation of Kāma-deva, the god of love who had once been reduced to ashes by the wrath of Lord Śiva.
Kṛṣṇa, out of compassion, arranged for Kāma to be reborn in His own lineage. Thus, Pradyumna was born in Dvārakā, the first son of Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī, resplendent with beauty, strength, and charm, like his divine father.
Abduction by Śambara
But fate took a strange turn.
The asura Śambara, a demon who had learned from prophecy that Kṛṣṇa’s son would be his killer, abducted the newborn Pradyumna from the maternity chamber, flying off before anyone noticed.
He cast the infant into the ocean, thinking he had ended the threat.
But the child was swallowed by a mighty fish, which was later caught by fishermen and brought to Śambara’s kitchen.
Raised by Māyāvatī
When the fish was cut open, the infant Pradyumna was discovered alive and glowing. The demon’s cook, Māyāvatī, was stunned. By divine intuition, she recognized the child as her eternal husband, Kāma-deva, reborn.
In truth, Māyāvatī was Rati, the consort of Kāma-deva in his previous life. By Kṛṣṇa’s arrangement, she had taken birth in the demon’s household to protect and raise her lord.
She nurtured the child in secret, taught him martial arts and the science of illusion (māyā), and waited for the day he would fulfill his destiny.
The Slaying of Śambara
When Pradyumna grew into a handsome and powerful youth, Māyāvatī revealed to him his identity and purpose.
With determination and fury, Pradyumna challenged Śambara. The demon attacked using his deadly sorcery, hurling illusions and weapons of darkness. But Pradyumna countered every move, having mastered māyā through Māyāvatī’s training.
In a fierce battle, Pradyumna finally slew Śambara, liberating the world from his demonic influence.
The Triumphant Return to Dvārakā
After defeating the demon, Pradyumna and Māyāvatī returned to Dvārakā. As they entered the royal court, Rukmiṇī saw her lost son, and tears of astonishment and joy filled her eyes.
The people of Dvārakā rejoiced, realizing that the child thought to be lost had returned as a divine hero.
Kṛṣṇa embraced His son, acknowledging his divine role in the cosmic plan. Pradyumna took his rightful place among the heroes of the Yadu dynasty.
Lessons to Be Learned:
- The plans of the demons cannot overcome the will of the Lord.
- Even when separated from the Lord, the devotee is protected and guided back to divine purpose.
- True identity is spiritual, and with divine grace, it is revealed at the right time.
- The story of Pradyumna shows how love, courage, and dharma triumph over deception and fear.
- The reunion of the Lord with His devotee brings joy to the entire world.
Origin of the Story: Harivamsa Purana 3 – Chapter 131: The Birth of Pradyumna, the Reincarnation of Kāma, and the Defeat of Śambara
