The Victim and the Victor...-(6)

Fu....

The Last Part...

It will definitely be long! now~

Enjoy reading~

...

Prakriti's P.O.V,

So after obtaining the approval of his parents, Karna ate his food in peace without any drama that my dear children are craving for.

Along with him, Bhishma, Bhima and others also ate their fill.

Then, Bhishma took the young Kumars to visit their elders, leaving behind Maharaj Dhritarashtra, Adiratha, Devi Gandhari, Devi Radha, Devi Sughada and lastly... a dove peacefully nestled in the embrace of an ashamed Karna...

Karna's parents did have a plethora of questions that remained unanswered until now. The couple really wanted to understand the appearance of Karna in the palace and his meeting with Devi Gandhari. But before that, They have their own duties to attend to.

Despite their great friendship with the royal couple, they can't ignore their presence completely.

Thereby, Devi Radha collected the empty plates with the help of some maids and went inside the kitchen to make preparations for the royal ladies.

Weirdly enough, She returned shortly with a guilty expression on her face and pleaded to the Empress in an alarmed tone, "Your Majesty, Please forgive me!"

"What happened? Why are you asking for forgiveness?" inquired Devi Gandhari. 

"???"x3

Her sudden plea left the audience with confusion etched on their faces aside from a certain ashamed child trying to hide in the corner but failed miserably as he remained under the careful observation of Devi Sughada and other maids~

Sigh~

It was also the courtesy of his overflowing charm, by virtue of which, he had been the center of attention, wherever he went. If Karna was given the punishment of Agyatvas (Incognito exile), he would have been found out on the first day~ Forever stuck in the infinite loop of exile till the death of Duryodhana~

Back to the story, "Y-your majesty, there's nothing left in the kitchen..." ashamedly replied Devi Radha. 

Hearing her answer, the tensed faces of the royal couple eased. The empress approached her and reassured her, "Don't worry Radha. There's still time before the arrival of Mother in laws. Just order the chefs, they will prepare more dishes."

"But...." Devi Radha hesitated a little before she revealed the truth, "Not even a grain of wheat is left in the kitchen..."

[Can you guess the culprit for this event?

Oh, Do you think it's Bhima or Karna right?

Yes! Yes! You are completely wrong!]

"Hmm?"x4

Her simple reply left the adults with utter confusion deeply etched onto their faces. 

Seeing their confusion, Devi Radha explained, "Your majesty, when the esteemed ones were eating, the maids noticed that the food was finishing at an unbelievable pace. Therefore, I ordered them to cook some more to not leave anyone unsatisfied. If not for his anomaly, the dishes would have been sufficient to fill five hundred subjects..."

"However, I failed to anticipate the appearance of my children...."

Her explanation turned the attention of the royal couples to the fidgeting Karna, standing beside Devi Sughada.

'Cooo~ zzzzzz'

'Cooo~ zzzzzzz'

Sadly, due to their inability, they were unable to watch the true culprit of this incident, Aarav, sleeping soundly with his small belly going up and down with his every breath.

Nonetheless, it is truly a thing to wonder, just where did this little guy stored all the food?

Seeing the dilemma of his mother, Karna came out and explained while sticking out Aarav before the royal couple, "Your majesty, Her highness, my elder brother finished the food..."

Pfft*

"Hahaha!"x3

Whether it was Devi Gandhari, The Emperor or Devi Sughada, none of them were capable of controlling their laughter after hearing the words of Karna~

...

Their laughter echoed in the dining room for a few minutes which filled the surrounding with happiness and positivity, far different from the heavy atmosphere of the palace...

".... Lastly, Maha-Mata Ganga requested Karna to let Karna stay in this palace according to his wish. Furthermore, I even wanted to crown him. Albeit, Maha-Mata disagreed. So Sister, can Karna stay in this palace along with our sons?"

Seeing that the moment was just right, Devi Gandhari recited her meeting with Sister Ganga and her (sister Ganga's) request and her selfish wish.

It eased the mood of Devi Radha and Shri Adiratha. They were truly glad for their dear sons for they have acquired the support and protection of the whole Hastinapur, All by the grace of Sister Ganga.

And yet, an uneasiness resurfaced from deep inside their souls...

It was about the origin of Karna... If Karna mingled with the royalty, he might attract his foes or... worse! his birth mother!

At this junction of life, they wouldn't dare to even welcome the thought of partition with either Karna or Aarav! 

"Your Highness, We are pleased to comply with your instructions!"x2

Regardless of their concerns, they do not wish to hamper Karna's path to success. Thereby, they agreed to Devi Gandhari's request.

Being Shri Adhiratha's friend for decades, Maharaj easily discerned the fear of Adiratha. So, he addressed Karna and spoke, "Very well sons! From this moment you are akin to our child. You can stay here as much as you want along with your parents." 

"I understand, your majesty!"

"Ahem* Call me Uncle."

"Hmm? Please bless me, Uncle (Tau-ji) and Mata-Shri."

"Ayushman Bhava Putra~"

Maharaja Dhritarashtra's words and act reassured Shri Adiratha and Devi Radha before he left with a grateful Adiratha to attend his duties as the acting ruler of the Kuru Kingdom.

After seeing them off, Devi Radha requested to her dear friend, "Sister, Can I take Aarav back? He is still asleep."

"You may leave with Sister Sughada, She will escort you to the inner room of the castle but, do leave Karna with me. Alright?" responded Devi Gandhari, while she softly caressed the hairs of Karna.

Honestly speaking, whenever I watch this spectacle... Even I desire to touch Karna~ It is really a surreal experience to do so~ 

"It's fine Sister. Sister Sughada, lets go~"

As an experienced Mother, Devi Radha understood the empress's intentions. She gave Devi Sughada a meaningful glance before they left for the room nearest to the imperial chamber...

****

With the departure of everyone, the dining was left with only Devi Gandhari and Karna while some maids and guards were stationed outside the room.

Due to the absence of another person, Devi Gandhari finally dispersed her aura of authority and revealed the mother hidden inside her.

She sat with Karna on the palagi and idly chatted with him while tenderly caressing his smooth face, trying to create an image of Karna in her mindscape. 

"So Karna, what are your favorite colours?"

"Badi Maa, anything made by Radha Maa is my favorite~"

"You really have a way with your tongue ~ Don't you?~"

...

"Attention! Raj-Mata Satyavati is arriving with the royal bride!"

Their conversation continued until the arrival of the entourage led by Devi Satyavati-the grandmother of Maharaj Dhritarashtra and late Maharaj Pandu.

Whether it was her seniority or her status, everything was far greater than anyone else in the whole Kuru Kingdom. Aside from Bhishma, nobody can go against her words, even Maharishi Kripacharya-the incarnation of lord Brahma.

Essentially, She was more than a mother for parentless Sage Kripacharya, Sage Ved Vyasa, Maharathi Bhishma, while she remained as the grandmother of Mahamantri Vidur.

And, who among Kuruvansha dare to defy a mother?

..

"Pranam esteemed mothers, Pranam Sister Kunti!" greeted Devi Gandhari with folded hands, showing utmost respect to her Mother in laws and Devi Kunti while standing on the side of the dining place.

As soon as Raj-Mata heard the voice of Devi Gandhari, She turned her head onto her direction only to be shocked at the sight displaying before her!

Beside the empress of the Kuru Kingdom, a young child-who appears to be eighteen, was standing silently with his hands folded in respect. His head was down, making it impossible to watch his face and yet...

The rich auras of dharma and righteousness enveloping that virtuous child clad in saffron clothes were enough to prove his divine origins. Not to mention the radiance emitting from his body which cleared the grievous thoughts surrounding her. 

Additionally, She was not the only one who had experienced this surreal feeling, rather both of her daughter in laws felt the same, evident from their curious but calm expressions.

Hence, She inquired her granddaughter in law, "Pranam Putri Gandhari, who is this virtuous soul?" 

"Maha-Mata, He is Karna, the son of royal charioteer, Shri Adiratha and his wife. A few moments ago, Nath (Husband) and I decided to nurture him akin to our child." responded Devi Gandhari as fast as she could. Her tone was laced with pure joy and bliss as if she was Karna's real mother. 

Instead of clearing others' doubts, Devi Gandhari's reply flared their curiosity even more, "Hmm?" Raj-Mata curiously gazed at Karna before speaking, "Whether from his body or aura, he doesn't seem like a Suta at all. Rather, he appeared to be a kind of virtuous Sage or mighty king."

She then gently suggested, "Putra, raise your head."

"..." 

Even after hearing her order, Karna remained unmoved before he fell to the feet of three mothers and knelt to touch their feet while asking, "O' great mothers of Kuruvansha, please bestow me your blessings."

Initially, Devi Ambalika and Devi Ambika hesitated a little and looked towards Raj-Mata Satyavati for confirmation while Devi Gandhari remained still in her place as she gently smiled after hearing Karna's silly question.

Faced with the sudden action of Karna, Raj-Mata graciously put her hands on the head of Karna and stated slowly, "Putra, Yashasvi Bhava~"

"Yashasvi Bhava Putra~"x2

Following her actions, both Grandmothers of Karna gave their blessing to Karna.

Unbeknownst to anyone present in the room, none of them noticed an almost invisible black smoke being released from the bodies of the three mothers...

Furthermore, they forgot a lady standing behind them, the widow of late-Maharaja Pandu, the victor of the disastrous war...

Devi Kunti, Who had performed the greatest role in the greatest epic known as 'Vijaya Samhita'...

While others were lost in the charm of Karna who had not even once glanced at her side, took their seats and were served by Karna with great ecstasy, clearly evident from the wide smiles etched on their faces!

On the other hand, Devi Kunti felt glad for them. However, a strange feeling was welling up inside her... She felt empty when Karna refused to acknowledge her existence and yet, it wasn't the feeling of anger or discontent but something else...

She blanked out for a moment in order to find the origin of her strangeness...

"Ah! Sister Kunti, please take your seat!"

"Putri, come sit near me!"

"Hmm."

However, Devi Gandhari and Raj-Mata called out to her, beckoning her to sit before the three great mothers.

To not disrespect Raj-Mata, she obediently took her place and postponed her current plan...

Something she will definitely regret in the future...

....

Prakrit's Note,

Sigh...

My sister is really heatless...

To think she would remotely influence the Pandavas, Devi Kunti and everyone else to intersect their path with Karna!

Her actions are really beyond my thinking... They always were!

If not for the blessing of Maa Shakti, Karna might have lost himself in his rage!

Though I want to berate her for her deed, I can't bring myself to do so. Her actions... may be wrong but... her intentions were right.

Perhaps, What doesn't kill you really makes you strong... Isn't it?

...

In the past decade, aside from establishing Octagram by parting his soul into nine equal parts, Karna had done nothing more to strengthen himself other than learning the essential skills of horse-keeping, little wisdom of Vedas from his parents along with the art of sewing from Vrushali.

Maybe this incident will work as the necessary push he needed!

After all, he needed strength and wisdom more than ever because... His battle was not only against the Pandavas but the supreme beings and its laws.

Rather than the Pandavas, the mortals bound by the will of the lord and their destiny, Karna needed to face the ultimate ordeals!

To defy the odds, he will require something more than the power of love and friendship! 

His path was unpredictability and chaos! Even Nyati (My Sister) is helpless before the upcoming events!

A single mistake of Karna will result in the utter failure... and the destruction of everything!

Oh Maa Shakti, please watch over him...

Aside from prayers, we can do nothing~

***

For the success of Karna, do vote some PS~!

Author's note: To Dear readers,

I would like to thank Aanand_Paliwal, Professor BomberFury, Snehank_Batliwala, Shrimaan Bikram_Ghosh_9609 and others who have been silently supporting this work with their precious suggestions, and PS!

Thanks to which, this had reached this junction!

Actually, the day after tomorrow is my JEE-mains exam, and IF everything went well, we will continue our journey till the very end!

If not....

Then, Farewell....

***

To be continued...