Dheemant's two sons were seated at Dridhaksh's lap. Their three bald heads glowed in the light of the lamps.

"If anyone laughs, no one will be worse than me." Maharani Mangalya threatened as she saw Dhritimat, Daiwik and Drisana struggling to control themselves. Even Maharaj Drishadvat was having a hard time while Himani and Poornima stood glaring at an innocent looking Dheemant. Himani and Poornima had come straight to complain to their mother-in-law that her son had shaved their sons head. Drisana, Dhritimat and Daiwik simply joined them for entertainment while Dridhaksh got summoned. In Dheemant's words, it was Dridhaksh's fault as he told his nephews, hair felt heavy on his head, so he had shaved his head and in an attempt to copy their Kakashree both wanted to shave theirs.

"And so you simply shaved their heads because they requested you to, right? I know you better Dheemant. How could you? Why don't you say something to your son, Arya?" Maharani Mangalya said angrily.

"Yes. I will say. Dheemant!!! How can you do that? What father do something like this to his sons?" Maharaj Drishadvat shouted in fake anger. His children's eyebrows arched hearing him.

"I know one more father who did something like this. Remember when Daiwik was -" Dheemant started to say but stopped when Maharaj Drishadvat gave a warning cough glancing at Maharani Mangalya.

"I understand. All of this is your fault. Except Dwijendra and Devyajot, the rest five has gone simply like you. Especially this Dheemant." Maharani Mangalya said.

"What's my fault in it, Priye?" Maharaj Drishadvat asked sweetly.

"What's my fault in it, Mata?" Dridhaksh followed his father's example.

"Your fault is that they only learned all this from you." Maharani Mangalya said looking at Maharaj Drishadvat and then turning to Dridhaksh said, "And you? What was the need to shave your head? What was the need to place that bet?"

"That's bhrata Dheemant's fault only. He only pushed me into the hole." Dridhaksh said pointing at Dheemant.

"Yes. All is his fault. Because of him hair is floating in my hole - whole room." Drisana said supporting Dridhaksh.

"No need to worry. Somedays more. Then you won't be in that room anymore." Dheemant said nonchalant. Drisana's face turned gloomy along with everyone else's.

Just some more days. Than she wouldn't be in that room, in this Palace or Dravida. She wouldn't be with her family anymore. She would gain a new one losing this. Drisana's heart sank thinking about it. In the past years, she had felt like she was home for the first time in her life. Even though when she was with Pandavs and Kunti, they roamed from place to place and later at Hastinapur, she was a guest. She loved them, but there was something missing. She didn't have any claim on anyone or anything. Not really. Here, she found everything that was missing, everything that she didn't know she yearned for, everything that she had been searching for years. She found herself.

And now she would have to leave all of it behind. Nothing would remain the same. When she counted the years she stayed apart from Nakul, it seemed so long. But when she counted the days she stayed with her family, it seemed so little. It wasn't Kaliyug where you were a call away from people. It wasn't the time where you could just buy a ticket and be with your family whenever you wanted. Here, after marriage, girls didn't get to see or hear from their families for years. On occasions they couldn't simply take a trip to their homes for greetings. They had to fulfil the responsibilities of their in-laws forgetting the carefree life of their maternal home. Even though she would be surrounded by love and care, she would miss her this family terribly.

"That room is my daughters and it always will be. She will be in that room whenever she wants to be." Maharaj Drishadvat said wrapping his hand around her shoulder. Drisana only smiled slightly with glistened eyes and hugged him.

Kunti was seated at her chamber in deep thought and sorrow. Today's events at the family court reminded her of her sin. The sin that she did by floating Karna in river. She remembered those early days of her life.

Kunti, named Pritha at that time was the daughter of King Shurasena and naga princess Marisha. But due to his promise to his cousin, he handed Kunti to childless King Kuntibhoj of Kunti kingdom . Thus, Pritha became Kunti.

Her adoptive father was affectionate of her, but she didn't receive the same affection from his wife who never accepted her as a daughter. After Kunti's arrival, King Kuntibhoj was blessed with the happiness of becoming a father. He was overjoyed at his son's arrival and saw Kunti as a lucky charm.

Though Maharaj Kuntibhoj adopted her, she was never really accepted. Never got the love of a mother. She was reminded at every opportunity that she was adopted and she should be grateful for what she was receiving. Not that anyone treated her badly or tortured her. But more than whips, words hurt. So, Kunti even though a child, learned to be quiet and calm. She was always careful of her behaviour and actions. Not wanting to bother anyone or become a reason of embarrassment, she learned the virtue of patience quickly.

Then came the day when Saga Durvasa came to Kunti kingdom and King Kuntibhoj gave fourteen year old Kunti the responsibility of his hospitality. Saga Durvasa was a short tempered man. Anger was his constant companion. It wasn't at all easy to please him. One could devote himself completely to his service and he would still find some fault in it. Kunti was afraid the whole time he stayed there. He would shout at her in small matters or punish her at the smallest of mistakes. Kunti endured everything silently and tried her best to please the saga.

At last, the day of his taking leave from Kunti kingdom came. Kunti was delightfully surprised when he told her that he had been pleased with Kunti's service to him and wanted to give her something. He then gave her the Mantra by which she could call any god and get a son from him. Kunti had been so happy the following days. As the saga left pleased, her father was also happy with her and everyone was praising her. For the first time she felt, she did something to make everyone proud of her.

Then at one morning, she saw the rising sun and wanted to see the Sun God, wondering how he must look in all his glory. She remembered the Mantra Saga Durvasa gave her. She could call Surya dev by it and as for getting a son, she thought how could she get a son without marriage. Her fourteen year old mind was unable to grasp the full gravity of the mantra. In her ignorance, she called Surya dev not knowing once invoked by the mantra, the god would be unable to leave without giving her a son or that she didn't need to be married and physically carry the son.

Kunti stood with her son in her arms after Surya dev left. She was crying miserably not knowing what to do.

"Rajkumari?" She heard Priyamvada's voice from behind. A few years older than her, Priyamvada had always been with her since she came here.

"Rajkumari, what are you doing here and who is this kid?" Priyamvada asked a frightened Kunti.

"This is my son, Priyamvada." She said shocking her. And then narrated the whole story.

"What have you done Rajkumari? What will you do with this kid now?" Priyamvada asked in fear.

"I have no idea, Priyamvada. What should I do?" Kunti asked crying miserably.

"Rajkumari, if anyone gets to know about this, you'll be doomed. You cannot keep this child with you." Priyamvada said with sadness.

"But he is my child, Priyamvada." Kunti said.

"I understand Rajkumari. But think, what answer will you give to everyone? No one will understand you or understand that you're pure after having a child. They will label you as a characterless girl. Both Yadavas and Bhoja-yadva clan will be disgraced and humiliated. Maharaj Kuntibhoj will disown you and your birth parents also won't accept you back. Where will you go?" Priyamvada said trying to make her understand the consequences. "Society will cast you out. How will you care for the child all alone? What about protection, food or shelter? And you know how cruel the society is. They will try to kill you and this child calling you impure and debased. Who knows, maybe Maharaj himself will try to kill the child if he gets to know."

"No. I can't bring shame to my family. I can't anyone harm my child." Kunti said wiping her tears and trying to think a way out of this. "We can give this child to someone. Someone who can adopt him?" Kunti said in a hopeful voice.

"Who will you trust Rajkumari? Where will you find someone who will take this child? No one will keep this a secret and words will spread faster than a wildfire." Priyamvada said contemplating it.

"I can leave him in some Ashram maybe?" Kunti asked again.

"You cannot go outside Kuntibhoj and if you try to leave him here, no ashram will take him in without enquiring about his parentage." Priyamvada said disappointing her.

"Then? What will I do Priyamvada?" Kunti asked clutching the baby tightly and crying hard.

"Float him in this river." Priyamvada said grimly.

"Priyamvada!" Kunti gasped hearing her.

"There is no other way, Rajkumari. Keeping him in a basket, float the child into the river. You said there is a kavach and kundal protecting him, right? Nothing can harm him. Ganga Ma and Surya dev himself will protect him. He'll reach his destiny through the flow of the river." Priyamvada said in a voice heavy with sadness.

"How can I do that to my child Priyamvada? How?" Kunti asked in misery.

"Do you know the story of Madhavi?" Priyamvada asked sitting beside her. Kunti looked at her and slightly shook her head.

"Madhavi was the daughter of King Yayati and an apsara (angel). She was capable of promoting every virtue and her beauty was so striking that any king would gladly give up his kingdom, if it were needed. She also had a boon of bearing four great Kings and regaining her virginity after the birth of her child.

Galava was a very devoted student of the sage Visvamitra. He stayed and served loyally and at the end of the academic period, Galava requested saga Visvamitra to state the Gurudakshina (fee) that he would accept. Visvamitra asked Galava

'present me with eight hundred white steeds of good pedigree; white as the rays of the radiant moon, and every one of it having one ear black in hue. Go Galava, delay not '.

Galava promptly sets out in search of such rare type of horses but was unable to find any. After much wandering, he reached the court of King Yayati of Prathistana. He submitted the plea and requested the king to help him be free from the burden of Gurudakshina. But, the King Yayati, had no horses that satisfied their specification.

Nevertheless, as a king he would not disappoint a needy one who came seeking help. Therefore, he gifted his beautiful daughter Madhavi and suggested that by setting her as price they could secure from any king or kings who owned the horses of their requirement.

Galava first went to Haryasva of Ikshvaku race who ruled at Ayodhya. He was famed for his valor, wealth and large army. Galava offered Madhavi in marriage to the king Haryasva in exchange for 'eight hundred steeds'. Haryasva replied he only had two hundred steeds of the kind Galava wanted and offered them in exchange of fathering one son from Madhavi. Galava objected thinking who will want her after her virginity is lost.

But Madhavi intervened and told Galva about the boon of regaining virginity. This seemed acceptable both to Galava and the King. Galava became the owner of those two hundred steeds and Haryasva had a son by Madhavi named Vasumanasa (also called Vasuprada).

Galava next took Madhavi to Divodasa King of Kashi who had already heard of Madhavi's extraordinary beauty as also of her story. He rejoiced greatly upon the fortune to be with her. But, he too had only two hundred such steeds that Galava required. He agreed to beget only one son from Madhavi in exchange for those two hundred steeds. Madhavi lived with Divodasa till a son was born to her. He was named Pratardana who later became a celebrated hero. Madhavi having regained her virginity left her second son with his father and returned to Galava.

The next was, King Ushinara of Bhojanagari who also had only two hundred of such horses. He handed them over to Galava and lived with Madhavi till a son named Sibi was born. Madhavi turned a virgin once again.

Thereafter Galava collected Madhavi back from King Ushinara. But, he had so far gathered only six hundred horses, and still needed two hundred more to fulfill the commitment to his teacher. Galava then submited the six hundred horses he had so far gathered to saga Visvamitra, with a request to accept Madhavi in place of the remaining two hundred horses and absolve him of the Gurudakshina .Visvamitra elated at the prospect of having Madhavi, accepts the offer gladly and discharges the pupil of his obligation. Madhavi bore to Visvamitra a son named Ashtaka.

With his debt discharged, Galava retires into the forest. As he departs, he thanks Madhavi for saving him, as also her father and the three kings.

After sometime, Visvamitra retreats into the forest. He hands over the six hundred horses to his son Ashtaka and sends Madhavi back to her father Yayati.

Yayati tries to arrange for Madhavi's wedding, as many suitors (including the three kings who had sons from her) were eager to marry her. But, Madhavi is no longer interested in marriage or childbearing. She refuses all offers and retires into the forest as a hermit.

In the end , everyone except Madhavi had something to gain: Yayati had the satisfaction of helping a needy person; the three childless kings beget worthy sons and heirs; Visvamitra gained six hundred of rarest horses as also the pleasure of living with the beautiful Madhavi; and Galava extolled for his guru-bhakthi was relieved of the obligation to his teacher.

Madhavi's salvation lies in her silence and her retreat into the woods." Priyamvada finished Madhavi's story with a sigh.

"You'll have to Rajkumari. You'll have to let your son go. Saga Durvasa is gone without making you understand the severity of the mantra. Suryadev is gone giving you, a mere teenager the child. Now you must sacrifice to protect your family, yourself and this child. Just like Madhavi did for her father's satisfaction, to release Galva from his Gurudakshina, to bestow the childless kings their sons. What must she have gone through? Was it fair to her or her sons? No. But she did it for her father. You'll also have to do it for yours. Sacrifice. That's what is demanded of women at every turn. Have faith. Your son will be fine and if God wishes he'll return to you someday." Priyamvada said squeezing her shoulder.

Kunti was unaware of the tears that slipped from her eyes. Pandavs entered the room teasing each other and laughing. But stopped looking at Kunti who was unaware of their presence. They were confused and distressed watching tears in her eyes.

"Mata?" Arjun called her softly as the brothers sat surrounding their mother. Kunti wiped her tears fast registering their presence.

"Why are you crying, Mata? Has something happened?" Sahdev asked gently.

"Tell me who made you cry. I'll beat him up." Bheem said angrily. He hated tears in his mother's eyes.

"No one, Putra. I'm crying for my own fate." Kunti said sadly.

"What's the matter Mata? You're unhappy with something?" Yudhisthir asked. Kunti zoned out thinking about Karna.

"Mata?" Yudhisthir called her again.

"Putra, if someday you get to know, your Mata has committed a very big mistake, what will you do?" Kunti asked looking at them.

"You can never do any wrong Mata." Bheem said shaking his head. The others were baffled with her question.

"What if I do? Will you be angry with me?" Kunti asked emotionally.

"Mata, you can't do anything wrong knowingly. That much we know." Nakul said smiling at her.

"But if someday you make some mistake, your sons will stand with you to bear the consequences. No matter what we'll never leave you alone or be angry with you." Yudhisthir said sensing her urge for assurance.

"Yes, Mata. Jyesth is saying right. We cannot see tears in your eyes. So tell us what caused it?" Arjun asked again.

"Nothing. I was just remembering your father." Kunti said forcing a smile in her face. She would tell them the truth. This burden had become too much for her to bear. But first she had to make sure that Karna wouldn't suffer more because of this truth.

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Now, now. The story of Madhavi was told to Duryodhan by saga Narada before Kurukshetra war. To make him understand the consequences of stubbornness as Galava was stubborn about paying Visvamitra in spite of his refusal.

One important thing in this tale is Madhavi wasn't forced, not really neither she protested.

Now some would look at her as weak. But in my opinion, she had some steel in herself. Otherwise what woman will be able to make such sacrifice...

And another important thing is this happened when Dharma ruled.

Now, if you Google Kunti's age at the time of Karna's birth. There is no appropriate answer. Most will give you the answer 8, 10-12, 13-14, 15-16.

In my opinion either 8 or 16, It was NOT Kunti's fault.

All talk about Kunti should have done this or that. But while Kunti had restrictions, Surya dev had none and even knowing of the situation HE abandoned his son.

Why the mother gets blamed only?

Another thing is even before I started this book Karna and Subhadra was fixed. I have said at the start of the book, I take it as a fiction. So no offence.

Now some of you say in inbox you don't like the swap thing. Nothing can be done.

You won't like my opinion of Arjuna. He was neither Draupadi's nor Subhadra's.

In my eyes, he was the man who won Draupadi, let her get divided, married at almost every kingdom he visited at the time of his exile (he had more than 4 wives. Rest just aren't mentioned having nothing worth mentioning.), left his wives at their respective kingdoms, broke the vow given to Draupadi by bringing Subhadra in Indraprasth (because Dhananjaya was too poor for another Palace), let her be a milkmaid to Draupadi (like Subhadra had other choice?) and stood silent watching Draupadi's humiliation with others.

What has he done special than others that he is to be held in high regards?