Shakuni's spy informed him about the attack on Pandavas. He was also informed by another spy that Krishna and Kunti came to Karna's house at night and Karna went with them to Indraprastha and returned the next morning with Krishna. It was also declared to the citizens of Indraprastha that their king and other princes were out of danger but none knew how they were saved. The royal family did not mention anything about Karna's involvement, but Shakuni was sure that Karna had to do something with the miraculous recovery.

Shakuni, 'Panadavs were poisoned... everyone knew they were very critical...then Kunti herself came to Karna's house...Karna went to Indraprastha and the very next day all of them recovered. But nothing was mentioned about Karna. Karna was not a doctor, yet  Rajamata came to Karna's house at night. Something fishy....Shakuni you are trying to find Karna's weakness. Is Kunti Karna's weakness? But what's the connection? Did Karna help them just for Vasudev?'

Shakuni informed Mrinalini to keep an eye on Karna's family like a hawk and inform him of every detail. He decided to visit his trusted companion 'Mantra'. 

Mantra was a psychic who lived outside Hastinapur and was one of the most trusted allies of Shakuni. She was the one who helped Shakuni trap his father's soul in the dices. Mantra was dangerously adept in black magic. Till now Shakuni did not need her for his political game but now the hour has arrived. Karna was an enigma that only a psychic could unravel.

Shakuni, 'Mantra, I need your help. Till now I trapped everyone in my web of politics. Dhritarashtra blindly believed in me, even Gangaputra and Vidur cannot do anything to me, but Karna, I don't know what he is up to. I just want to know who is he? What are his intentions?'

Mantra, 'Shakuni, why do you need him? He was trying to change Duryadhaan for good and you didn't like that. Now that he has abandoned the prince, what's your problem now? You  should be happy.'

Shakuni, 'He is too powerful to be left alone. I desperately need to bring him to our side. Already some of the kings offered him positions. He also went to Indraprastha and got very close to Krishna.'

Mantra, 'SSSHHH, don't even dare to take his name here. It's too pure, I can't even think of his name. But Karna, give me something that he had used.'

Shakuni took out a small cloth that he got from Mrinalini who stole it from Karna's house. Mantra took that and placed it in a water bowl. 

Mantra, 'O my magic water, show me who the owner of this cloth really is?'

Both of them had to close their eyes because of the burst of light in the bowl. 

Shakuni, 'What was that?'

Mantra, 'Don't know, but one thing is sure.  Karna is not an ordinary person. The aura is soo pure.  Look Shakuni, I cannot do any magic on him. It's impossible.'

Shakuni, 'Then do something so that Duryodhana turns more tyrannical. Make him more ruthless. I want him to wage a war against those Pandavas. Till now I didn't ask your help as my own planning was sufficient to separate those cousins. But this Karna's presence is changing Duryadhana and I will not let that happen.

Mantra menacingly, 'Shakuni, you know my price.'

Shakuni, 'Yes, yes you will get that. Also, I want you to do Black magic on Yudhishtir as well. Make him greedy like Duryodhana. 

Mantra, 'Look I cannot create any emotion in any person. What I can do is to intensify the dark emotions already present in them. Yudhishtir is not greedy for wealth, so I cannot create that in him. But in Duryodhana, I can enhance his anger, arrogance, selfishness, possessiveness and intensify his insecurities many folds. But how are you going to manipulate those emotions, it is up to you.'

Indraprastha

Kunti was heartbroken. Karna's words raised her guilt. 

"People wash their sins in Ganga and I was nothing but a sin to you. So you washed your sin."

" Your sons insulted me, taunted me, humiliated me in front of everyone, but you...you were always silent."

"you could have ordered them not to insult me. Why didn't you do that?"

Kunti knew all his accusations were true. Kunti was torn between her heart and brain, 

Mind, 'It's my fault that my son suffered. I am such an incapable mother that I cannot do anything. No....I shall not deprive him any more of his birthright. He was born to be a king, not a worker for Duryodhana.'

Brain, 'No Kunti, don't even think of it. Karna earned other's respect by showing his valor and knowledge. What will happen if people come to know that he is an illegitimate child. Think about your other sons. They have to face utter humiliation and Kauravas will not definitely leave the chance to tarnish their respect in front of the other kings. Already many people are saying bad things about their relationship with Draupadi. Please don't create more problems for your sons.'

 Torn between her heart and brain Kunti decided to talk to Karna. She wanted her son's forgiveness. So she told the Pandavas that she was going to the famous shiv mandir in Hastinapur to pray for her family's safety. The next day she came to Hastinapur. Gandhari was very happy to see her sister. Kunti waited for an opportunity to meet Karna and in the evening when everyone was busy she went outside to go to Karna's house.

Radha was alone at home. Shon, Roopmati and her other two sons went to their neighbour's house to attend a marriage function and Adhirath went with Bheesm to the neighbouring kingdom. Karna went to meet Avantika as he decided to tell her everything about himself. 

Kunti came to Karna's house and Radha became very agitated seeing her.

Radha (thinking), 'Why is she here? Does she come here to take my son away? No no, I can't allow that....but she is her mother. Oh God, what am I supposed to do now.'

Kunti, 'Pranam, I came to meet Karna. Where is he?'

Radha, 'He is not here. What do you want?'

Kunti, 'I want to talk to him. Can you please tell me when will he return?'

Radha. 'Why do you want to talk to him. It is not good for your reputation to come and talk to a Suta.'

Kunti, 'Please don't say like that. I respect you for taking care of my son.'

Radha sarcastically, 'So now you remember him as your son. Where were you when he was just a newborn, thrown into the river and found by my husband? Where were you when he was ridiculed by the upper caste people for his love for knowledge and archery? He was even ridiculed by the royalties when he stopped the Brahmastra, your own sons never left any chance to belittle him. So what now? Are you not satisfied with all the problems you created for him or do you want to create more?'

Kunti sobbing, 'Radha I know what I did was wrong, but please try to understand my situation.'

Radha irritated, 'I understand perfectly. But now, please go away. I don't want even your shadow to fall on my son's life. He is very happy here.'

Kunti, 'But he is my son...you cannot deny my rights on him.'

Radha, 'Rights...what rights? Can you give him his position? He is the eldest of all, so can you make him the king? Can you stand in front of the Hastinapur royal court and accept him as your son?'

Kunti was speechless, she had no answer for Radha's questions. She just sat there and cried.

Radha, 'My queen, please leave my son alone. He had already done enough for you. But now for God's sake please go back. I don't want any more unwanted attention on my family.'

On the bank of river Ganga

Karna told Avantika about his life. He did not hide anything from her, from his journey to Sage Ved Vyas's ashram, his education, his training, penance, his divine parents as well as about his mission.

Karna, 'Avni, I knew about Mata Kunti from my father Lord Suryadev but I just want her to accept me. Now she confessed to me only after her son's life were in danger. It is said that a mother never differentiates among her children. But here my own mother has no love for me.'

Avantika felt very bad. She had no idea that Karna had buried such a pain in his heart. He always had a calm smile on his face, always encouraged others and took care of others' needs. But his own life was filled with so much injustice. 

Avantika, 'Please don't be sad. I know what happened is wrong but please don't judge your mother so harshly. It is very difficult for a woman to talk about her shame in front of others. You know how prejudiced this society is. If anyone gets even a small hint about this secret then there will be a big disaster. Karna God gives responsibilities to those who have the strength to bear it.'

Karna, 'I know Avni, I know. I am feeling sorry that I talked rudely to Mata Kunti. But now Radhama ordered me not to help the Kuru family again. I don't know Avni what will I do?'

Avantika, 'Leave everything on HIM.' She gestured towards the sky. 'Everything is happening due to his wishes, so he will show you the right path. Pravu will never leave his devotee. Just have faith and be strong.'

Karna, 'You are my strength Avni. Please don't leave me. Karna is nothing without you.' 

Avantika, 'I am always with you.'

After all the fiasco Karna was feeling very tired. He wanted to rest and Avni's words gave him immense peace. He just hugged Avni and placed his head tiredly on Avni's shoulder. Avni understood him. Since childhood, he had to fight for everything. He was deprived of his own mother's love, even Radhama accepted him after he risked his life and almost died while saving them. His best friend also betrayed him. Now all these mentally exhausted him. She just held him and started caressing his curly hair with her fingers. Karna felt absolute bliss. His entire life was a mess, but at least he had Avni. She was like sunrays in a dark, gloomy, cloudy sky. Karna just closed his eyes and tried to shut all the unhappy memories of his life. The only thing matter was Avni was with him. He just inhaled her aroma. She smelled like the purest petrichor. Her closeness soothed his disturbed mind just like the first rain, after a long scorching hot day.  Karna just wanted to leave everything and spend the rest of his life with her.