The drastic catastrophic change in the atmosphere pointed to the summoning of Brahmastra... I know Prince Arjun had summoned it .. But there's no way I can counter it now... It's past sunset but still seems as sun is about to set due to refraction... Only if the prince thought once before firing it.... I can't counter it , doing so would be against the rules of warfare...

& I can't die without providing justice to my family and many others...but as a Kshatriya I can't disobey the rules....

Hey Mrityunjayi Mahadev!! I leave it on u to decide my fate ....

I turn around just when the Astra was an inch or three away from me ......

The Brahmastra....is beyond imagination, powerful , dangerous and charming at the same time..... The only thing I can do is revere it.. therefore I folded my hands and waited for the inevitable....

The nearer it got ,the more a divine halo surrounded me .... I saw everyone holding their breath , frightened....

Ananya, Radha maa , Adhirath baba , Mahadev, Devi Shakti, Mata Dharini.. everyone's face flashed before me..

Keep Ananya and everyone safe Mahadev... I closed my eyes and remembered all those beautiful memories ...

Voices: Karn!!!!

I.... I...feel a sudden rise in temperature ...I open my eyes ...and am.. fine?

I scanned the crowd only to notice everyone looking at me in ...awe , reverence and fright may be?? Huh?? If a person doesn't die with Brahmastra, people are expected to behave like this....

Thank you Maa Shakti and Mahadev for giving me another chance at life... I will definitely seek my justice now ...

I'm hit by a very high octave of energy.... It takes me minutes to concentrate and accomodate according to this sudden intrusion of energy.....

I block out everyone and concentrate only on this new energy. I feel as if I'm on fire ,I feel parched and even with this higher energy I feel a bit dizzy.. I am acutely aware of every change in my body....

Satyavat!!!

I instantly open my eyes to recognise the ex-queen of Hastinapur... Rajmata Satyavati... Satya Maa ...

Are you fine?? You are not hurt , are you??? You are fine right???Say something....

She looked beyond horrified .... Tears made their way through her eyes....She took my face in her hands to look for any injuries but immediately recoiled as if it burned her ...My body temperature is currently very high so I can understand. Beside her , were Queen Ambika and Ambalika.

They too were extremely worried....

Amba: Karn!!!! Are u fine?? Are u okay??

Devi Amba ran up to me and took my face in her hands like Satya Maa... But unlike Satya Maa she could bear heat for a moment...

U have such high temperature?? Is it due to the Astra???

Karn's locket and Kavach has absorbed the energies of Brahmastra and as these are closely related to him... the rise in body heat is one of its consequences....

But we need to do something....

Exactly.... Move away and give him some space to breath...

Bring the throne and fan and give me the drink ....

There she is .... I saw two soldiers carrying a throne , one a jug and other a fan....

The soldiers placed the throne near me... I glanced at Ananya who motioned me to sit ...

By this time my body had nearly accomodated the energy therefore I thought to reject the offer but...

She held my arms and dragged me inspite of the heat... Is she mad?? I jerked my hand but she again held it...

Karn: Leave my arms... Your hands will get burned....

I don't care. Shut up and sit...

She forced me to sit ...and gestured the soldier to fan me... A pitcher of ...lime juice , mint , rock sugar and coconut water... was brought to me. Huh!!! Strange!! .... I looked at her who motioned me to gulp it down... How did she know what I needed?

Just to spite her , I rotated the pitcher and looked at it in a disinterested way.... She might have rolled her eyes and glared me... I really want to see her face now.... I haven't seen her from morning... I want to see her cute button nose flaring red with irritation... Her eyes spitting fire and her lower lip being chewed by her teeth to stop her from saying something drastic..... This is sheer torture....

Gulp it down...!!

I smriked and unfurled the cloth covering my face to drink it... I heard several gasps and saw nearly all the women staring at me with.. um....not so good intentions. Well not suprised.. instead I am now used to it...

I sip the drink & Hmmm!! This is awesome.... Strange combination but yum.....Hmm!! Before I can stop a moan escapes me...

I hear her chuckle....

I can't help... It's amazing.... Never have I tasted something so ....exotic.

I finish it in one go... It actually helps me with my inner body temperature and blood pressure.... I need another one & before I could ask... another glass is before me...

I obidiently drink it this time...

Everyone around me seems a bit relaxed.

But..... Question is until when??

What is all this??? I don't get it ... I really don't...

The day Karn and Ananya visited me , they left a lot for me to reflect on. And when I did .... I found they were right...

With the passage of time , I had lost the real me... Lost the Satyavati whom Maharaj loved... I couldn't manage the family and Kingdom and now life was giving me another chance.... I am not gonna waste it ....

I decided to pay a suprise visit to the Kingdom....& See the talent of my great grandchildren but... All I saw was vanity , hatred and cut throat competition. I knew things weren't good....but this bad!!!

When KarnAnanya began to call out everyone's shortcomings, I knew situation was getting out of control but I couldn't intervene... There was no point in intervening... Satyavat always knew what to do and what not .... If he did this... There must be some hidden reason... But what??

The information that Satyavat had on Dron made it clear that he wasn't a good choice for a teacher. Bhishm would have taught better. Y did he choose him? On what grounds ?? I feel he is too boastful for his own good...

Everything was sorted , until Arjun suddenly decided to challenge Satyavat..

I knew Satyavat was a great warrior but this amazing!!! Woow!!! I'm impressed....

He won... As expected...

What the.... How can Arjun summon and fire Astra behind the warrior??? Has he lost it??

Nothing made sense to me anymore... I have lost my sons but I won't lose Satyavat.... I ran as fast as possible but....

Karn!!!

Thank god!!! Mahadev saved him.... I ran upto him and checked him... His temperature nearly burned me...

Following up Amba reached him... AMBA???? In Hastinapur??? What is happening here?? She too did the same like me... Did Karn know her?? How??

After a minute of everyone's fussing ... I heard a voice I could never forget.... No doubt it was her.... She cared for him ...

Karn was better after drinking something she gave .... Thank god....

But some people definitely are gonna get a hard time now....

Satyavati: What in the hell is happening here??? A competition among princes of same kul?? Firing of Divyastras?? Is it what remaining for me to see?? Ridiculous...

Arjun!! How dare u launch Brahmastra for such a petty issue??? Have u lost ur mind?? Is this what u are taught? What has become of mighty Kurus??

Bhishm!! What is happening here?? I want to know the details....now!!!!!(Roaring)

After so many years, I'm feeling such power... I look at Bhishm for answers only to see him with his head bowed ... Not knowing how to proceed...

Satyavati: Is this what they're taught?To attack and kill whoever questions them? What are they ... Princes or Animals?? Is this how they are gonna rule Kuru Kingdom? Now I definitely doubt my decision of leaving everything.... What has become of this lineage!!!!??

Bhagwan Parshuram: Prince Arjun whatever u did today ...proved u unworthy to use any Divyastras and u even crossed war rules.... Henceforth I forbid the use of divyastras to u... I , Bhargava Parshuram curse u to not be able to use any Astra of large scale destruction...

I mark the sheer horror on Arjun's face....& May be a slight guilt..

Gurudev ... What are u doing?? An archer without divyastras??? Don't u think this punishment is too harsh .....

Honestly... Is he for real?

Harsh!!! Harsh punishment hasn't been given yet...

Tell me Dron on what basis have u passed on divyastras to these "just out from school" students of urs? Don't u know a person must get over his anger and certain traits before acquiring them... U urself came to me for Divyastras and know how meticulously I have tested u before teaching them .. But u ....

U have passed them to ur students without thinking of repercussions, without any tests? In your arrogance u have become blind to decide whom to and when to give these astras!!!...

Arjun is at fault but u... U have a greater fault here... U are justifying launching the Brahmastra on a warrior in a competition not a big deal??? Have u thought what would have happened? U and ur arrogance have become a threat for mankind ... Therefore, I Bhargava Parshuram curse u to forget my all teaching of divyastras....

I am not sure if I want my Great-grandson to be cursed but this is better than getting beheaded. & Moreover I agree it's Guru Dron's fault more than Arjun's ..... A teacher is to shape the future with caution but this boastful creature....

: Gurudev!! Gurudev please forgive me!!! I agree it was my fault... I won't do it again... Please Gurudev... Please take ur curse back...

Arjun: Bhagwan... I apologise.. It is my fault to have acted such ...but please forgive me ... I won't ever do this again...

Bhagwan Parshuram: U can't even do it again ... I have cursed u not out of spite Arjun , but to teach u a lesson...

When u learn ur Lesson and reign ur arrogance, and hunger for praise , power and fame ...may be ....just may be then u will be able to use them... Until then suffer... & Dron u deserve this punishment for failing as a student and teacher both...

Bheem: This is unfair... U are punishing us for him....

He needs a piece of my mind .... How dare he talk back to Bhagwan like that? He even berated my Satyavat!!!

But someone else beat it to me...

Amba: What do u wanna say? Bhagwan Parshuram is partial and u are correct?? Is that what u mean, Prince Bheem ??

Bheem: I..

Yudhishthir: Sorry... I , apologise on behalf of my brother's Bhagwan... Please forgive them... I agree whatever Arjun did is wrong on many levels and whatever Bheem said is utterly wrong ... Therefore I apologise....

I can say Yudhishthir is more guilty than Arjun and Bheem ..... I can even gauge Sahadev to be guilty of his brothers doing...

But I too know that it's not guilt that made Yudhishthir apologise but the fear of Bhagwan , his curses and anger... Wtever it is ...he apologized and that is important....

Nakul: But Jyesth....

Yudhishthir: Apologise...

Sahadev: Please forgive us..

I saw Ananya balling her fists, with her nails painfully digging in her palms.

This is trouble...... But before she could do something.... Karn took her hands in his and tried to open his fist .. key word... Tried .. After two unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to open it ... All the while making sure not to catch anyone's gaze and create trouble for her. Hmm...

Karn!!!

Karn?? My Karn?? My Aditya?? This sudden change....

Sugandha what is happening?? Who called for Karn?? Tell me what is happening??

Arjun fired a Astra towards the anonymous warrior who came with Kashi entrouge... His name is....

He is ...Karn... I remember all the feelings I had when I met Karn and when I met him....

Hey Mahadev!!! All this while Karn was before me and I..... Save him Mahadev save him.....

The entire arena went silent.....The atmosphere changed back...

Sugandha...Is..Is Ka... Ka..Karn alright?? ....

Sugandha say something....

Maharani... Maha...dev and Devi.. Shakti themselves...pro..protected him.... Their figure is formed be..behind him and... the Astra is absorbed by his Kavach I think..... He is safe Maharani ... He is safe ...

Hey Mahadev!! A thousand thanks to u ...Thank you thank you thank you so much for giving me a chance to meet him ... Thank you...

Thud!!!

Gandhari: What happened?

Maharani Kunti!!! She has fainted!! Please help....

: Take her to chambers....

Sugandha... I want to meet Aditya..take me to him....

I immediately ran ...not caring with whom or where I bumped... Sugandha kept up with my pace and we soon reached the arena... I didn't hear what has happened... I don't even care... I just want to hear my Aditya's voice....

Gandhari: Aditya....

Tears flowed from my eyes... After 20 years I'm meeting him... 20 years isn't easy..with no one to hear to u... No one to ask if u are fine? If u need anything? None to even ask for a glass of water!!

There were times when I felt Bhratashree was right but then re-acquired my faith in Mahadev and discarded those thoughts.

I have already met him... and he still has the same purity .. He has grown into such a fine handsome man.... How didn't I recognise him?? The son I longed for so long was before me and I....

May be everyone says right , this blindness has caused my consciousness to go blind as well....

Karn: Mata Gandhari....

..Did.. did he really call me...Mata ?? He .. he isn't angry?? I felt him touching my feet and immediately hugged him.... It feels as if everything around has faded... My eldest son was finally here.... He too hugged me back ... 20 years of wait is finally fruitful...

Aditya... How are you? U.. U are fine right? Where were u all this time? Didn't u miss me once? Were u so angry that u abandoned me ? I'm not complaining Adi it's ur right... I have wronged u , u are right to hate me.... But if ever possible please forgive me ... Forgive me....

I sobbed harder .... All the hidden guilt and pent up anger on my inabilities escaped in form of tears...

Mata... It's.. It's ok... U were not at fault... Don't blame urself for others faults and I have forgiven.... I have forgiven everyone....

Gandhari: Everyone??? How?? Y??? After everything u , Radha jiji and Adhirath ji endured ... Still u ..forgave ..y??

Karn: There's no point in dwelling in past.. .... Now stop shedding tears orelse I will rush to Vedji and get medicine for ur eyes...

This reminded me of the first time we met... The same scenario.. same dialogue..I couldn't help but smile remembering that cute encounter....

Karn: Yes!! This is the smile.. Com'on my lovely ladies u can actually heal me with ur smiles... Com'on ..

Everyone smiles at him flirting...

Karn: I feel I'm already in heaven seeing so many apsaras smiling .. These are the smiles I would love to die for ..... Hayeeee!!!

All: Karn!!!

Karn: Oops!! Cholly!! (holding years)

Everyone giggled...

Never have I seen a warrior of this calibre.. Neither such a handsome man... I can literally see all the women drooling...and Nakul fuming.... Serves u best Naku....

Even the mighty Brahmastra didn't harm him... Shivshakti themselves... protected him.... His archery skills are commendable although he was just lazying before Arjun... Who is he?

Wait!! Par-Pitamahi addressed him as Karn!!!! As in Bhratashree Karn?? The one Mamashree and Mata mentioned?

No!! No!! How can it be? Mata said he was truthful and soft spoken but .... This man here, is utterly truthful but soft spoken??

Satyavat?? Par-pitamahi ( great grandmother) knows him? Even Grandmother's are worried!!! Devi Amba and Bhagwan Parshuram are tensed too.

Everyone is fussing around him....

Is he really Jyesth??

I look at Mamashree whose eyes show suspicion and ...hope??

Pitashree looks remorseful .

Kakashree pissed... Huh he is always such ... Forget it .

Kul-Guru and Pitamah seem curious, hopeful , happy at the same time anxious, remorseful and sad??? Huh?? All these emotions together.... ??

Seated on the throne, in the middle of the arena , casually drinking , he exudes power , authority, dominance .... He screams threat . Someone who has claimed and owns this entire earth... A beast....

Beauty and beast in a single person?? Hmm!!

But the question still remains: Is he really... Bhratashree?? Or its just a coincidence that their name match?

I heard Bhagwan Parshuram berating Arjun and Gurudev... Although as a student I shouldn't be happy but I am glad someone put sense in him ....and punished him for his favouritism...

Woow!!! What a show!!! Yes!! Bhagwan yes!! Please give 40-50 curses to this bhainsa as well... He needs them the most... Don't fall for Yudhishthir's apologies atleast give one curse to this bhainsa... please just one.... Sheyy!!

Not so happy now , I glanced around and saw Mata speed walking towards the arena, bumping into things all the way and Sugandha ji handling her. She soon reached the arena and addressed him as... Aditya... He stilled and stared at her... He addressed her as... Mata .

So it is really.... I mean .. Bhratashree??

I was not sure how to react....

Mata asked forgiveness?? For what?? Well my Mata would blame herself even for the tiniest things so .... But still everyone seemed a bit off when Mata asked forgiveness?? What is it that everyone is hiding???

I looked at... Jyesth... Well it feels a bit strange... I have always been the jyesth and never had anyone to look up to but now .....

Will he accept me? I mean if he knows every minute details of every incident then he must be knowing about the poisoning incident...& Also that I am a bad omen!!! What if he doesn't want me?

What if he too sees me as a bad omen, as evil ?? What would I do then?? Unknowingly, I have always looked up to him from the tales Mata had told me.... If he too rejects me.... Will I be fine???