The next day Karna went to Hastinapur Palace. Duryodhana was ecstatic that Karana forgave him. Both Dhritarashtra and Gandhari welcomed him, Dhritarashtra was so happy that he praised Karna in front of all ministers and wanted to give him rewards. But Karna politely declined saying, 'No Maharaj, what I did there it was to help my friends. Vasudev and Duryodhana both are my friends. It is my duty to help them. And I don't need any reward for that.'

'Absolutely true,' said Krishna, He also came to meet Dhritarashtra after appointing Sahadev, son of Jarasandh as a governor of Magadha. Sahadev was a good person and he was ready to make an alliance with Hastinapur and Dwarka. So Krishna came to Hastinapur to have a discussion with the ministers about the treaties with Magadha. Krishna also praised Karna. He told everyone how Karna made a plan to distract Jarasandha's soldiers and then defeated Jarasandha in the combat. Hearing the description everyone was stunned.

Karna, 'But Keshav the credit goes to you only. If you did not inform me about Jarasandha's birth secret and during the fight if you did not give me the hint, I could not be able to kill Jarasandha.'

Duryodhana, 'When did Dwarkadhish he hint you?'

Karna, 'During the fight, he tore a leaf into two halves and threw them in opposite directions. This gesture of him told me what to do.'

Dusshashan, 'My god, during the battle how did you look at Vasudev? The wrestling was very intense.'

Karna, 'A good warrior should always keep an eye on the surroundings during a fight. Otherwise, he could not defend himself from attacks.'

While everyone was praising Karna, jealousy burned the heart of both Guru Drona and Aswatthama. Drona though not an evil person himself but full of ego and he still could not digest the fact that Karna was much better than his students. While Aswatthama was a greedy and selfish person. All he wanted to stay near Duryodhana to be the king of any kingdom. But now because of Karna, his plan was failing. Duryodhana trusted Karna more than him. He thought, 'Enjoy your glorious days Sutputra. Soon I will show you your true place. You are a servant's son and soon you will be one. Just wait and watch.'

On the other hand, Pandavas and Kunti disguised as Brahmins and roamed around many places. In their journey, they entered an illusionary forest where they met Hidimba. With her help, Bheem defeated Hidimb rakshas and got married to Hidimba. They had a strong son called Ghatothkach. Then all the Pandavas and Kunti left the place. They visited many places and then went to Kalimpya. 

In Suryalok

Devi Sangya, 'Arya I am happy that my son defeated that Jarasandha, but I am such an unfortunate mother, I cannot give him the Vijay tilak. I am also feeling sad for him. He is trying to help his family but still, he is facing so many problems. When will his mother accept him? My son is completely alone there.'

Suryadev, 'Devi it is the only beginning of his fight against injustice and sin. He has to face many hurdles. But he is not alone. Bhagavan Shri Krishna is there with him. He will be his margdarshak. Also, your son has the support of Tridevs and Navgrahas.'

Devi Sangya, 'But they cannot interfere in his mortal life. And for Bhagwan Narayan, he can show him the right path but my son has to walk alone. Arya everybody needs a companion. As without Tridevis, Tridevs are incomplete, my son also needs someone who will make him complete.'

Suryadev, 'Have patience Devi, I am sure Lord Narayan must have something in mind for his devotee. There must be someone who was born for our son'

Krishna smiled, 'Devi nothing is ordinary in your son's life. Even to find his better half there are some complications.'

Rukmini, 'Complications?'

Krishna, 'Yes my love, destiny has a unique plan for Karna's soul mate.'

Brahmmalok,

Devi Saraswati, 'Brahmmadev, what's destiny's plan for Karna's future wife. It is not possible for any ordinary woman to endure Karna'a radiance.'

Brahmadev, 'Yes Devi, right now there are two women on earth who has the ability to tolerate  Karna's radiance.'

In Kailash

Devi Parvati, 'Two women? Swami is Karna going to have two wives?'

Lord Mahadev, 'Devi it depends on the proper decision of the Brides, not on Karna himself.'

Devi Parvati, Please enlighten me Dev.'

Lord Mahadev, 'Devi in Treata yug Agnidev's spiritual daughter Nalayani did a tapasya to get a perfect husband for herself. When she completed her penance, asked for a boon from me. She said that she wanted a husband who shall be as righteous as Dharmraj, as strong as Pawandev, as skilled warrior as Indradev, as handsome as Kamdev and as intelligent and knowledgable as Ashwinikumar. I told her that in Treta Yug no one was there but in Dwapar yug, Suryadev's mortal son shall have all the qualities. She will also born as a mortal woman and then she has to choose him as her husband.'

Brahmmalok

Devi Saraswati, 'So Agnidev's spiritual daughter and reincarnation of Nalayani is going to be Karna's wife?'

Brahmmadev, 'That's the twist of fate Devi. At that time Advika, the daughter of mother earth also did tapasya. When I was satisfied with her penance, she asked for a husband who shall be balanced, focused, non-judgemental. Who knows about his inner strength and wishes well for all. Who will love her unconditionally, respects her, and pampers her. I also gave her a boon that in Dwapar Yug Lord Suryadev's mortal son will born and she has to find him and choose him as her husband.'

Devi Parvati, 'So now there are two wives for Karna.'

Krishna, 'Deviyon it depends on the girls. If both of them find Karna and choose him, then both of them will be his wives. Otherwise, the one who will love Karna unconditionally will have him as her husband and Karna will be bound with her forever.'

  Rukmini, 'Let's see what awaits for our beloved warrior.'

In Kalimpya

King Drupad started a yagna to have a son who could defeat Drona. He wanted to take revenge for his humiliation at any cost. According to the prophecy, he would get two children, a daughter and a son. During the offering, Drupad asked for a son who should be strong, brave, skilled and capable to kill Dronacharya. From the fire first emerged Dhrishtadyumna, a strong warrior, then the fire became stronger and the sages asked for his wishes to have a daughter. So Drupad asked for a daughter who should be royal, fierce, beautiful, righteous and pure. Then from the fire, Yagnaseni Draupi emerged. Everyone was stunned seeing her beauty. Her beauty could only be compared with the fire itself. Drupad took both of her children to his palace. Where he started their training as Prince and Princess. He sent Dhrishtadyumna to Guru Drona's ashram to learn warfare while he asked the royal tutors to prepare Draupadi as a perfect princess and queen. Draupadi was a perfect daughter and princess. She learned manners, cooking, household works, politics but from her father she also learned attitude. 

In Ayodhya, Sage Vashishta's ashram

Sage Vashishta, the renowned sage, the great scholar, one of the Saptarishi was busy in his meditation with his wife Sati Arundhati. Suddenly they heard a voice, 'Parnipat Gurudev, Gurumata.' Both of them opened their eyes and smiled seeing a very beautiful girl in front of them. Her beauty could be only be compared with the moonlit Full moon night. It seemed like she was the manifestation of the mother nature herself. 'Avantika, when did you come, my child?' asked Devi Arundhati. 'Just now, Gurumata, How are you Mata, Gurudev?' Sage Vashishta, 'We are well my child. But why are looking sad dear?'

Avantika, 'Gurudev, my parents are going to leave Ayodhya. We are going to move into Hastinapur. So I cannot come to meet you from now. I will miss you both.'

Devi Arundhati, 'Daughter every journey is important for life. New life, new place, new people will teach you many things. And this journey is going to be very special for you.'

Sage Vashishta, 'And don't worry for us, whenever you need us, we will come to meet you.'

Avantika thanked her teachers and left.

Devi Arundhati, 'Swami, why did you say that this journey is going to be very special for her?'

Sage Vashishta, 'Devi, it's time to fulfill her destiny for which she came to this earth. You remember the story of her birth?'

Twenty years back 

Avantika's father was a blacksmith by trade. Her father  Sarthak and mother Renuka was childless. Once they were traveling through a deep forest as Sarthak went to another village to get some supplies for his workshop and Renuka also went with him. When they were returning they suddenly heard the cry of a baby. They searched for the source and suddenly they saw a beautiful baby was laying in a lotus flower in the middle of a lake.

Both of them were shocked and Sarthak jumped into the water and took that baby out. It turned out that the baby was a girl. Both of them were overwhelmed to have the girl. In the forest, Sage Vashishta lived with his wife. They took the girl to his ashram and asked for his opinion. Sage Vashishta was a trikaldarshi. When he saw the girl he understood that the girl was none other than the daughter of Vudevi herself. He asked Sarthak and his wife to take care of the girl properly. He named the girl Avantika

Avantika was a beautiful and intelligent child. But as she belonged to Sudra class she was not allowed to have proper education. Avantika did not like the baseless rules. Once she stood outside a gurukul to hear the class, then some Brahmins saw her and tried to beat her. She ran away and to avoid them she entered the forest. There she met with Sage Vashishta and Devi Arundhati. In spite of being great scholars, they did not believe in the caste system. They decided to teach her Sastra. In fact, Sage Vashishta requested his friend Sage Viswamitra to teach Avantika weapons. Under his training, Avantika became very good at sword fighting. From Devi Arundhati, she learned singing, dancing, weaving and medicine.  

Avantika was a sweet natured girl. She loved everyone and always wishes well for everyone. She used her knowledge to help others. Her parents loved her very much and they were always worried for her as there was no one who could be a perfect husband for her. In the small village of Ayoddha Sarthak's business was also not progressing. So one of his friends suggested him to go to Hastinapur as it was a big city. Sarthak could have a good business there and it would be easier for them to find a good match for their daughter. So Sarthak and Renuka decided to move to Hastinapur. Renuka had a sister who lived in Hastinapur. They asked their help to buy a house there and then they traveled to Hastinapur.

Krishna, 'Karna, a big change is going to come in your life. Let see who is going to choose you?' 

Next- Panchali's Swyamvar.