Indraprastha

Draupadi entered her room and locked herself in. Even Bhim could not break the door. All the Pandavas and Kunti were helpless as they could not bring her out. 

'Wow, all the mightiest warriors are here. Great the Dharmraj himself also came back. I thought now you are going to spend the rest of your life as slaves', Hearing Krishna's voice the Pandavas turned around to see both Balram and Krishna along with Rukmini were standing.

Rukmini sarcastically, 'Nath how could you think like that? Those who have a brother like Karna who is standing like Kavach in front of his family, how could they be the slaves for the rest of their life?'

Saying that Rukmini went towards Draupadi's room. Upon her request, Draupadi opened the door and came out. She fell at Krishna's feet. 'Sakha, how can I forget the insult, the insult I faced today? They tried to disrobe me in front of the entire sabha.' she cried.

Krishna sadly, 'But your husband's brother saved you Panchali. He saved your honor. He freed you all in exchange for his life.'

Draupadi angrily took out her Churamani and threw it on the ground, 'I thought you as my protectors but you bet me like a property there. How could I blame those Kauravas when my own husbands threw me in front of the wolves?'

Yudhistir cried, 'We are so sorry. Draupadi I was blinded by my Dharma. And because of me, our brother is in danger. But I was just following my Dharma.'

Krishna, 'No you are not following Dharma. No Dharma allowed us to stake humans like possessions. You are just a greedy person who in the greed of wining more lost his senses. You pretend to be the most righteous but in fact you are nothing but a foolish king who cannot protect himself from conspiracies. You wanted to be the Chakravarty? What example did you set in  front of your subjects who lost his kingdom, his family and wife just to win a stupid game of dice? As per the rule you can easily stop the game at any moment. But no...the ego of the great Dharmaraj.'

Balram roared, 'I just can't believe it. My student Duryodhana could do such a thing.'

 Krishna, 'Dau, it's not completely Duryodhana's fault. Today whatever happened it was the result of the Pandavas, their mother's and Panchali's wrongdoings.'

The Pandavas were surprised.

Krishna, 'Since childhood you guys got everything you want like fame, praise, love. Just because you are devputra everyone thinks that you are the Messiah of them, an epitome of goodness. But all these praises make you arrogant. Tou started thinking about yourselves above everyone. You cannot tolerate the fact there is someone who can be better than you. Dharmraj did you ever protested when Dronacharya asked for Eklavya's finger...no...why...because he is a tribal. According to you, a tribal should not learn Kshatriyas' warfare, so you thought that he deserved right. You and Sahdev please tell me a single verse of Veda which can justify this type of treatment?

Yudhistir and Sahadev hung their head in shame

Krishna, 'From that day you had started filling the pots of your sins. You always insulted Karna and in the name of Dharma tried to dissuade him from practicing Archery. Actually, you all know that he was far better than you. So by insulting him you just wanted to break his self-confidence. You have no intention to establish Dharma. You just wanted to remove the competitor standing in front of you.'

Balram, 'And when guys still did not be able to break him, you started ridiculing him, always tried to humiliate him in front of others. During the Rajsuye Yagna, you insulted him. Atithi Devo Bhava, that's our Dharma. But you.... in your pride forget that as well. You did not stop your wife from insulting your own cousin and uncle. I think now you guys understand how does it feel to be humiliated in front of the entire world.'

Rukmini, 'And you Draupadi, you insulted him the most. You always rudely behaved with him and Avni. Because you are jealous of their relationship. But you forgot it was you who rejected him by badly insulting him. Even after your marriage, you left no chance to taunt them. Today the humiliation you felt, he also felt it the same way during your Swyamvar. Your arrogance and your sins were so great that even almighty was unable to protect you today. But look what a cruel game of fate. It was the same Sutputra who protected you.'

Krishna, 'And Bua you are the most to blame. It's your foolishness that Karna was born to you in wedlock. You are the one who threw him to the river. You don't even try to find out if he could survive or not. Did you have any idea that even if he survived then how society would treat a fatherless child? It was Karna who paid the price of your mistakes but still, he protected you. You may forget your duty as a mother but he always did the duty of a son. Whether it was in Varanavart, Takshak's attack or today's dyut sabha, he was always there for you, but you were nowhere in his life. You don't even stop your sons from insulting him.'

Kunti cried, 'Please stop it. I can't hear anymore.'

Arjun, 'Please, if we have any idea that he was our brother, we will never do such things.'

Krishna, 'Arjun you have no right to insult anyone. Just to teach you to respect everyone and to show how baseless the caste system is, your brother did not disclose his identity to you. You guys thought low-class people are impure, weak. Today your Kshatriya family members tried to dishonor you, your brahmin teacher and kulguru did not protect you. But a man from Suta family saved you and a Suta father returned you your wealth, kingdom and freedom. So tell me, who is better here?'

Balram, 'We are not telling that all upper-class people are bad. But it is the Sanskar that makes people good or bad not the caste. But you always gave importance to class, not to one's nature. And that's why you are suffering. 

Rukmini angrily, 'How are they suffering? It's Karna and Avni and their family who are the victims here.

Krishna smiled, 'Devi, do you expect the Pandavas to live in peace after knowing that someone else is suffering because of them. Kunti Bua, do you remember the curse of the mother of the slave, who cursed your sons to be enslaved? Today your eldest took that curse upon himself to protect his younger brothers. But can you live peacefully? And Pandavas I think it is the greatest lesson to you all that it is your brother and sister-in-law who are paying the price of your foolish dharma and stupidity.'

All the Pandavas, Kunti and Draupadi cried bitterly. Kunti sobbed, 'Kanha, I am ready to burn myself in the fire of hell for millennia, but please protect my son. Do whatever you want but bring him back.'

Bheem, ' Yes Dwarkadhish, I am ready to take any punishment you want to give me. As I am the one who insulted him most. But bring him back.'

Balram, 'Yes Kanha, we can attack Hastinapur and free Karna from them.'

Krishna, 'No Dau, it's his fate and he has to fight this battle by himself. He chose his path. Now he has to walk alone there.'

Yudhistir, 'Dwarkadhsih please we are ready to face all the punishment but please protect my brother. That Duryodhana and Shakuni will use his power for Adharma.'

Krishna smiled, 'Samrat your brother is not that foolish to bind himself to them forever. He already made a plan to free himself. It will take time but eventually, he can. But now prepare yourself for the 13 years of exile.'

Yudhistir, 'Ys Vasudev but before going there I have to do one more justice. Guards, bring lady Priyamvada here.'

The guards brought Priyamvada to the royal court. Yudhistir, 'Lady Priyamvada, you know the truth of my brother Karna. But it was you who always poisoned us against him. Why?'

Priyamvada cried, 'I always considered you as my sons. I just don't want you all to mingle with that low life. If anyone knew the truth then your lives will be ruined.'

Bheem, ' Shut up. If you say another bad word against my Jyasht. You blinded us with arrogance. We are the sinners but you are the greatest of all.'

Krishna, 'Lady Priyamvada, no one can run away from their Karmfall. You did all these to save their positions. Look what happened today. The Pandavas got their kingdom back because of the person whom you considered as a curse.'

Kunti, 'Priyamvada, I Rajmata Kunti exiled you from our country. If I see your face again, I myself will kill you. Now get lost.'

Krishna tiredly, 'Dau, Devi now we have to return to Dwarka soon. Some new guests are coming. Avantika is coming with Karna's and her family and we have to give them shelter and protection.'

Balram, 'Yes Kanha, let's go.'

Hastinapur,

Gandhari was crying in her room and her daughter in-laws were trying to console her.

Meenakshi, 'Mata please don't cry. I know whatever happened is bad but please don't punish yourself for this. And now the Pandavas and Draupadi are safe.'

Gandhari, 'I am crying for Draupadi..God my sons tried to disrobe her. How could they do it? How could she forget this incident? Thanks to Mahadev that Karna came on time. But now he himself is trapped here. What am I supposed to tell Radha? How can I face Avni? And Kunti, I have no idea that woman is capable of such crime. She threw her newborn son in the river, how could anyone do that to an infant?'

Bhanumati, 'I always respected her but today I really hate her. I can understand why she abandon Bhrata but when she knew about him, still she did not disclose anything. What kind of mother is she?'

Gandhari, 'How can I face Karna now? My son betrayed his friend...his brother. I mean though he is not a Kuru but he is the eldest of all the cousins. He always performed the duty of a Jyasht to my son but this is how Duryodhana repaid him back? I will never forgive him and also cannot forgive myself.'   

Everyone was crying but today they were helpless.

Bheesma's room

Bheesma was sitting on his couch. Both Vidur, Dron and Kripacharya were also sitting there. All of them were exhausted.

Kripacharya, 'We always thought that Kunti is the purest and noblest daughter in law of this family. We always kept her ahead of Gandhari. But today we realized how wrong we are. That woman for all these years, she just pretended to be the noble one but actually hid such a sin.'

Bheesm, 'When Pandu got the curse, he asked Kunti if she wanted to adopt someone? If she even then told us about Karna, at least that poor boy didn't need to suffer so much in his life. I mean he could be the perfect choice to be the king. He has all the qualities of a good ruler, but look what a cruel game of fate. That boy faced so many hurdles and what happened today....I don't know that even Narayan will forgive us.'

Vidur was silent. He was thinking. Seeing that Dron asked, 'Vidur what are you thinking?'

Vidur, 'I am thinking about Karna's birth father. Who is he? Tatshri, I don't think he is a son of an ordinary human....I mean just like Pandavas are the mantraprasad of different Devs. It is highly possible that Karna is also a mantraprasad of any Dev. Then which dev is that?

Bheesm, 'There is only one who can tell us...Karna or his family will never disclose anything but there is one who knows everything...My mother.' 

Dhritarashtra's room

Dhritarashtra, 'I can't believe it. Karna is Kunti's son. He is the eldest and he is the biggest competitor for throne.'

Shakuni. 'No Maharaj, he is not a Kuru...so he cannot sit on the throne. And now he is our servant, so all the competitors are gone. The Pandavas will go the exile. Karna will start Digvijaya and even when Pandavas will come back they have to face the Chakravarty Samrat who has the soldiers from the entire Aryavart. Karna will also be on our side and the Pandavas cannot win against him.'

Dhritarashtra, 'But I don't like when we have to give Indraprastha to Adhirath.'

Shakuni, 'Neither me. I have no idea that Karna will propose such a condition.

Dhritarashtra, 'But I must say, he is very intelligent. By forcing Adhirath to ask for Indraprastha he saved his brothers and gave them back their kingdom. But now those Pandavas will definitely try to take him back or attack us.' 

Shakuni, 'Don't worry, even if Adhirath gives Indraprastha back to the Pandavas, it was useless to them. Pandavas are going to Vanvaas and Agyatvas. Without a king, Indraprastha will be ruined. And when they will come back, you will order Karna to attack them. He cannot disobey your order and will kill his own brothers.' 

Meanwhile,  Avni bid goodbye to Karna. Both of them were heartbroken but they knew they had to be strong. When she came out of the chamber, she saw Duryodhana. If her eyes could kill, Duryodhana would turn into ashes at that spot. Duryodhana could not bring the courage to say anything to her. Bhanu escorted her out of the palace and asked some soldiers to take her to the village.  

Karna also came out from the room. Seeing Duryodhana he asked coldly, 'What's your order for me Yuvraj? Do you need anything from me now?'

Duryodhana hesitantly, 'Can you please come to my room, I have something to tell you?'

Duryodhana's room

Both Duryodhana and Karna sat in his room. Karna was calm but Duryodhana was agitated.

Karna calmly, 'Yuvraj, you want to tell me something?'

Duryodhan, 'Mitra I...'

Karna stopped him, 'Why are you calling me Mitra?'

Duryodhana, 'Please don't say that...look whatever happened I don't want to.... but it's the only way to bring you back. You were not ready to listen to me. So I thought..'

Karna, 'So you thought by enslaving Pandavas and humiliating Draupadi you could blackmail me. I must say the planning was perfect.'

Duryodhana cried, 'No I don't want my brothers to do that. I just want to insult them but please trust me...whatever happened with Draupadi, I don't want to do that.'

Karna, 'And you didn't stop it either. You wanted to be a king but you don't even have control over your brothers. But who am I to judge you? After all I just a servant whom you bought.'

Duryodhana, 'Please Karna I don't want to do this to you either. But you also hid your identity from me. You said you are my best friend but you hid the truth that you are my brother.'

Karna, 'Yes but not to betray you. I just don't want to embarrass my mother. I just want to stop you to fight your cousins. But now it's too late.'

Duryodhana, 'If I wage a war against the Pandavas, will you support me?'

Karna, 'I have no choice. As long as I am at your servant, I will fight with whomever you order me to Yuvraj. But now you shall take rest. Tomorrow we have to plan our strategy to start Digvijaya. One more thing, I want to meet my family before going to the war. Will you give me permission?'

Duryodhana, 'Karna please, you are not a prisoner here. You can go whenever you want to meet your family. I know you are going to marry Avni Bhabishri...'

Karna stopped him, 'I canceled the marriage. I don't want her to marry a slave.'

Duryodhana cried now, 'Please don't call yourself that. You are my friend...my brother.'

Karna sternly, 'You were ready to make your cousins your slave, you did not show any mercy to them...I am their brother whom you bought at a high price, so that what I am now. So from now on, I am neither your friend nor your brother.'

Duryodhana could not say anything more. He was just exhausted and knew that he could not win against Karna. So he just called a servant and asked him to escort Karna to his guest room.

Note- Next update on Monday 21/6/21.