Today was the day of Mahashivratri. Whole anga was exited and happiness is filled there. From old to young was busy in finishing the decoration of Anga and the process of welcoming the guests. They were excited that the Shiv-Parvati temple will be inaugurated today and guests are coming for the first time since Anga became independent. There was environment of extreme devotion and happiness in Anga. The temple is Fully covered with huge red silk cloth. It's covering from top to bottom stairs. It looked like someone covered a mountain one face with this cloth.

Karna was eagerly waiting for guests to arrive his kingdom. He knew his parents will also arrive with royals of Hastinapur. Then a soldier informed him that the Hastinapur's chariots were going to entering the borders of Anga. He has already ordered the border guards to escort all the guests to palace. As Karna wii be here to welcome them.

With Hastinapur's group.

Bheeshma, Gandhari, Kunti, Dushala, Arjun, Nakul, Sahdev, Ashwatthama and Duryodhana were coming in their chariots. A plain looking chariot was beside them Adhiratha was driving that chariot and Radha was on that chariot. They entered the Anga borders a soldier came on the horse and guided them to the palace. They entered the city and were shocked by its beauty. Kunti described the city to Gandhari. Anga was filled with children playing and running around. Women were doing household while singing. Old people were comfortably resting in chair out side or their house while men were doing their jobs happily. There was certainly harmony in Anga. The people here though wore commoner clothes but those clothes were of high quality silks. They couldn't guess who were of which cast among people there even houses in whole anga were similar. The path ways were of concrete and has flower garden besides them. The whole anga looked heavenly.

Duryodhana (curious) : Did Hastinapur really gave up such big and beautiful kingdom, Pitamah?

Bheeshma : No son, six months ago this place was barren, forget about such beauty people didn't have water for them. All this is shocking to me also.

Ashwatthama : Unbelievable, Mitra karn has developed all this in just six months. How has he done it?

Arjun : Why don't we ask the soldier escorting us more about this?

Dushala : Yes brother Arjun, you are right lets ask. So sainik mohodaya (respect soldier) tell us how Bhrata Karn has done all this.

Everyone was intrigued, especially Bheeshma. Hastinapur and other Aryavart didn't send their spies to Anga, as for them Anga was a new independent state. They knew Karna was strong but when Karna declined Magadha throne for Anga they thought Karna though strong but was new king who will not attack other countries to expand his kingdom and spend his time to develop his kingdom which wouldn't be easy as not long before Anga was tormented by Jarasandh. They sent spies for one month but the lack of news of activities near Anga borders and ongoing construction of Anga was proof enough for them to believe Anga was still struggling to develop. So they didn't want to waste resources for such small kingdom which didn't even have big army. Even after getting invitation only people who wanted to meet Karna were interested in coming to Anga. But what Bheeshma was seeing is stark opposite of what he saw last time in Anga. How has Karna did it? That too hiding from all aryavart.

Soldiers (Proudly) : Rajkumari all you are seeing is the effort of our king and people of anga. The God has pitted us and gifted us with a great king after long oppression of Jarasandh. The place was as Mahamahim Bheeshma described when our king came to our kingdom. People were struggling just to survive forget about having luxury and beauty you are seeing today. Our great King did this miracle by sheer efforts and Hard work.

Sahdev: But how? It isn't possible. Anga was just 5-6 village large last time I checked on map. But now it's looks like quarter of Hastinapur. Surely Karna would have to fight and win these lands from other kings, so how no news of Karna's fight with other kingdom were spread? How does Karna took care of these lands with such small army?

Soldiers : No rajkumar, our king have never fought anybody except Jarasandh. These land were acquired by peacefully negotiation with several tribes. They migrated and merged in our kingdom. So, our army grew, our king even gave shelter and jobs to bandits near by.

Nakul : But we didn't see them till now, did they have seperate living area away from here?

Soldier : No rajkumar the all resides here only, our king didn't do favouritism and partiality. All the residents of Anga have houses of same size in same locality despite cast or background.

Ashwatthama : Didn't it causes problems for Mitra? It can cause civil war here.

Soldier : No, the people of anga loves and respects our king. Our king believes in equality and second chances so do we. We have suffered together in past but our king taught us to be prosperous together. We believe our king immensely. He has always selflessly given us, he has given us every thing freedom, wealth, education without asking any anything in return. He taught us self respect and self worth. We would never , I mean never dare to even think of revolting against him. He has never returned anybody empty handed. He is just and impartial. We can discuss our opinions with him frankly. He never orders us but we reach to consensus decisions together. He allows and hear our point of view too. Till now he has never taken a decision that disappointed us. He is like sun, who burns himself to give us good life.

Bheeshma couldn't help but mentally chuckles hearing last sentence. The soldier had unknowingly compared karna with Karna's father. Kunti wiped corner of her eyes hearing this. Adhiratha and Radha were proud of their son.

Arjun : But how had he brought such changes in such short time?

Soldier : After arriving Anga our king arranged water and food for us. He first shot a arrow to rain and magically summoned food from his pouch. After 2 days there were carts coming with goods to Anga. First we were unsure why then through the cart drivers and travellers we came to know why. Our king had killed Jarasandh we were shocked hearing how our king done it alone and how powerful he is. Not only our king killed Jarasandh but also freed other 100 kings and those carts were gifts from those kings to thank him and form alliance. The carts kept coming for one and half months with several goods loke, grain, seed, cows, minerals, weapons, money etc. Our great king never took a dime for himself but distributed it to us equally. We were shocked by his generosity at for few days then we became numb to it. Then King of Magadh sent the best architect to build palace for our king. But our king declined to build palace for free so he himself hired them and several other best master craftsmen from his own money. He had told us to assist them and learn from them to became sustainable by ourself. He even paid himself fou our training.

Sahdev (surprisingly) : How did he got so much money himself.

Soldier (proudly) : Our king told us that he is blessed with a pouch that will never run out of money and food. Only he can use it. We didn't believed first but he showed us by putting his hand in pouch and taking out handfuls of gold coins, and when one person tried he came out empty handed But he didn't use it for himself once but for us. He used it till we became self sufficient.

Everyone was shocked hearing this they had thought magical pouch of karna was just to store and retrieve kara weapons and belonging. They didn't doubt the soldier as Karna even has gifted powerful bangles and hairpin to Dushala, compared to them the pouch was nothing much.

Dushala : Please continue from before you were intrrupted.

Soldiers : Yes, then King ordered the craftsman to first prepare day to day neccecaties for us instead of himself. The craftsman made our houses, clothes tools, weapons. We have learned from them. He even had architect build school and army barracks. Our king declared people of anga can get education and self defence lesson irrespective of cast, background or gender. He even started formally training army himself. Then only he had them build palace we people of anga of all age and gender helped the architect build palace for our king to show him our respect and love. He brought many reforms like education for all, women rights, banning gambling, banning sati and domestic violence etc etc. The master craftsmen that were hired loved our country's equality and respects towards them and their craft so they now are citizen of our kingdom too. Not to boast but our contry is now home of best architect, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, weavers etc. So our economy flourished.

The mountain gifted to him by Hastinapur to us was turned into Shiv-Parvati temple which will be inaugurated tonight. I can't disclose much about it but I am sure it is largest and most beautiful Shiva-Parvati temple of Aryavart. Our king himself with best cavers and sculptors build it. The whole layout and designing was idea of our king, even the idols in temple carved and sculpted according to our king's painting. He himself coloured the idols. I am sure you will be shocked tonight.

Everyone one was shocked by Karna's selflessness and achievements.karna was able to make a country in ruins to a thriving country. Everyone can tell the soldier was near about devotee of Karna. He never said his name once but the sheer respect dripping in his voice was proof enough for them. They have never seen such devotion for a king by his soldier and this sentiment were shared by all people. Loyalty is a powerful strength which Karna seemed to have in spades. They were little jealous of Karna.

Duryodhana, Nakul and Sahdev were amazed. Ashwatthama and Arjun were happy for their friend. Dushala was so proud that it seemed it her achivement no Karna's. Ghandhari was happy and eagerly waiting for inaugration of temple. Kunti, Radha and Adhiratha felt their chest puffed in pride by their sons achivement and love of his subjects towards him. They wiped the corner of their wet eyes. Bheeshma was proud but also sad because Hastinapur lost such capable crown prince. Karna has displayed all the abilities of great ruler, he was righteous, strong, impartial, knowledgeable, good looking, skilled negotiator. He was silently cried at the loss of such precious gem because of Kunti's mistake and silence. He knows not even yudhishthir is that good. Karna was truly eldest kaunteya who had all abilities of his younger brother and much more. Soldier then informed them they were about to reach the palace. The saw karna was at attic of pace with a bow. Karna fired the bow in the sky and shower of flowers petals fell on them. Kana the jumped from attic and came to palace gates to welcome them. They soon reached palace gates and soldier left.

Karna : Pranipat. Hope you journey your journey was peaceful.

Bheeshma : Aayushman bava Putra, it was good. We heard of your achievements and I am very happy.

Ghandhari : Yashasvi Bhava Putra, what you have done is nothing sort of miracle. I am looking forward to inauguration.

Kunti : Kalyan ho Putra, I am happy for you.

Karna welcomed elders, and did aarti himself, then told maids and servants to escort them to their chamber. The elder royals went away. Only the young ones with his parent left. Karna hugged his parents and told them to rest in the palace, he will later come and talk to them as he knew his parents wouldn't able to talk much in presence of the royals. He told the servant to escort them to his chamber. Only Rajkumars, Ashwatthama and Dushala left.

Karna : Pranipat Rajukumars, friends and Dushala.

Duryodhana : Pranipat. I am amazed by your abilities.

Ashwatthama : Pranipat, looks like I underestimated you talent as king, Mitra Karna, please do tell of you secret.

Arjun : Ashwatthama is right Mitra.

Sahdev and Nakul : Pranipat Angraj.

Dushala (fake anger) : Pranipat Bharata karna, I am very angry with you. You didn't even wrote any letters to me. I am not talking to you.

Rest of guests except Duryodhana were snickering and had amused expression. Duryodhana was confused Dushala was very proud and happy on the way then what happened now? but Ashwatthama sighed at his clueless Duryodhana and signalled him to just watch and enjoy the show. They were sure that Dushala was again going to tick karna to do something for her which they were sure Karna would do regardless but they always her antics while dealing with Karna.

Karna : I am sorry but I was busy.

Dushala : so busy that you couldn't write a letter.

Karna (guilty): oh! Iam sorry.

Dushala : Saying sorry isn't going to make it alright.

Karna : Then what do you want.

Dushala (happily): Same as before a ride in you chariot and shopping.

Kana resigned to his fate, he helplessly said: " Okay, but after all the guests leaves. I will be busy till then."

Dushala : Fine but you have to take me to temple tonight in your chariot. That's non negotiable.

Karna : Okay, Deal.

Dushala happily nodded and patted her back. She was really proud of her negotiation. The others weren't able to control their laugh seeing her patting har back and proud expression. Duryodhana was also laughing he for the first time saw how mighty Karna was helpless in front of Dushala. Suddenly few laughter were heard from distance. They turned around that Balram, Revati, Krishna, Rukmini and Subhadra were laughing.

Krishna (Dramatically) : Dau (elder brother) did you seeing how mighty Jarasandh killer Angraj Karna surrendered and accepted his defeat in front of Dushala?

Balram : Haan Kanha, I saw that but couldn't blame him afterall sisters can claim her rights on their brothers.

Krishna : Too true Dau, Sakha Karna won't you welcome us.

Karna and others came forward, Dushala firstly greeted Dwarkadhish brothers and their wife and hugged Subhadra. The Rajkumar and Ashwatthama too greeted them.

Karna : Pranipat everyone.

Everyone : Pranipat.

Karna : Friends didn't require a welcome, it's their right to come to their friend's Home.

Krishna : That's true, you really did fantastic job Karna for your kingdom. It's transformation is marvelous from last time I came here.

Balram : Your kingdom is as beautiful as it is peaceful. I am truly impressed Karna.

Revati : Dwarka has now challenge regarding being most beautiful kingdom in whole aryavart.

Rukmini : Your palace entrance is lo beautiful, the symbolism of tridevs and trideviyan are creative and imaginative.

Karna : Thank you, but you're praising me too much. It's all because of everyone's effort.

They all talked for while then Karna had them escorted to their room. Soon all the invited kings came with their family. Karna welcomed them all. The palace was big enough for holding them. Soon a soldier came and informed karna that Two Chariots of Ujjain has also arrived. Karna was surprised as Ujjain was closed kingdom and didn't respond to other kingdom's invitation be it for swamvar or any festivals. But Karna let his thoughts go and went to palace gates to welcome them. At the gates he saw two chariot stopped at the gates. Then from one Chariot King and Queen of Ujjain climbed down and from other Chariot a beautiful girl of Karna's age descended. Karna for first time in his life was spellbound by beauty of the girl.

Author note : it wouldn't be Mahashivratri without karna's better half arrival.