A man is shown walking briskly in the corridors, wearing a golden crown, his face had a serious look. He wore colourful angvastra and an orange dhoti, a sword was attached near his waist while golden jewelleries adorned his body. He entered a chamber where a group of about 15 - 20 people were seated around a table in a semi circle. A lady was standing in front with a stick, discussing about the news they received. All the heads shot up when he entered.

'Maharaj Drupad ki jai ho' was called out in the chamber.



The man is revealed to be Drupad. The lady came to him and touched his feet.

Drupad :- Kalyan ho putri.

The lady was Srikhandini.

Drupad :- How is my army being trained ?

Srikhandini :- Battle formations are ready, now it's upto you, which one do you prefer.

Drupad :- Use Chakravyuh.

Srikhandini chuckled, Drupad looked at her confusingly.

Drupad :- Whats the matter putri ?

Srikhandini :- Pitashree, those princes are not at all experienced, won't it be a very big deal for them, afterall it's their first war.

Drupad :- (chuckles) You're right putri, but I want to show that Dron, how his revenge taking policy is useless. I will not kill them, I will capture them and keep them as hostages, then he will have to surrender at my feets.

Both of them laughed out, but a minister interrupted them.

Minister :- Maharaj, sorry to disturb you but there is a problem.

Drupad :- What ?

Minister :- The eldest prince.

Drupad :- What about him ?

Minister :- He is also the student of bhagwan Parsuram. He has done impossible feats as he defeated Devraj Indra in a straight duel, killed Banasur and his son. He is said to have Pinak dhanush of lord Shiva, which is one of foremost shastras of universe.

Drupad's face immediately changed to serious.

Srikhandini :- Will he take part in the war ?



Minister :- Yes but he has a condition.

Drupad :- What ?

Minister :- That he will raise his weapons only when all the 106 princes have been defeated.

Drupad :- Why so ?

Minister :- As it is guru dakshina for princes and he is not acharya Dron's student.

Srikhandini :- This guy seems to have some nerves. What do you think pitashree ?

Drupad :- We will definitely see to it, but for now, continue the training of our army.

Srikhandini noded and went out with others while he leaned down to the table to have a closer look at the map. ----------------------------------------------------------- Back at Hastinapur, Next day was a rather busy one, all the princes had to depart today for attacking Panchal. They were in their chambers, getting ready, Karn finished his morning prayer and came back to his chamber to notice Kunti standing there, she gave him some clothes and went out, but forgot to close the door.

Jhanvi walked towards his chamber with a big smile, she wanted to return his necklace and thank him again. She saw Kunti leaving without closing the door and thought that no one was there, she decided to wait and surprise him, but as she entered, her eyes got widened.



Karn was half naked when he came back after bathing, he removed his dhoti to change and that's when she entered the chamber. 'Aaaah!' she screamed loudly, he got shocked when he turned around and saw her standing, she saw him whole naked. He immediately took his dhoti and covered his lower part.

Karn :- (stammering) Jhanvi, what are you doing here ?

By then, all the people came running as they heard her scream, but the scene in front of them widened their eyes. Karn was clutching his dhoti tightly, while Jhanvi was facing opposite side. Everyone understood what happened and a huge laughter broke out. Kunti slapped her head lightly, she gave her a sleepish smile.

Kunti :- Karn, what did you show her that she screamed so loudly.



Others burst out laughing while Jhanvi flushed red.

Karn :- (annoyed) Ask her mata, what is she doing here, she entered without knocking.

Kunti looked at her with raised eyebrows.

Jhanvi :- Bua... woh... I saw you leaving the chamber without closing the door, so I thought no one would be here.

Yudhisthir :- What were you doing here anyway ?

Jhanvi :- I came here to return his necklace.

She showed the necklace to everyone.

Kunti :- And what is his necklace doing with you.

Jhanvi :- Actually.... I found it in the garden, when I came to know it's his, I thought to return it to him.

She felt relieved and satisfied by the reason. Arjun was mischievous, he understood she was lying.

Arjun :- Jhanvi, don't you know that you shouldn't lie when you cannot.

Jhanvi :- What do you mean bhrata Arjun ?

Arjun :- This necklace dosen't even has a single scratch mark, seems like it was deliberately taken or....

Jhanvi :- (irritated) Bhrata Arjun, who gave you the right to accuse me of stealing. If I wanted to steal it, why would I be returning it.

Kunti :- Arjun, behave yourself. It's okay putri, I believe you, but you should atleast knock before entering anyone's chamber.

Jhanvi :- Bua, when I saw you leaving the chamber without closing the door, I thought no one was there. I just wanted to leave it here and go back, but I didn't knew, prince would be changing in open.

Nakul understood the hidden meaning behind words.

Nakul :- Jhanvi, will you not use bhrata for Jeystha.

She glared at him to shut up. Brothers looked at him and he winked to confirm their doubts. Kunti had already got a feeling of something.

Kunti :- Okay everyone, now we should get to our work, all of you go get ready and assemble at the gates, you need to leave soon.

Everyone noded and went away. Jhanvi and Subhadra were walking back to their chamber.

Subhadra :- (teasingly) Jiji, did you see everything.

Jhanvi :- Subu, should I tell bua about that day, with Arjun.

Subhadra :- I am sorry jiji, but please don't tell anyone about that.

Jhanvi :- Then just shut your mouth up.

All the members were present at the gates where princes gathered and stood in face to face of elders. Just then Karn arrived running and came in front, everyone looked at him amused.

Karn :- What ?

Bhisma :- No armour putra, you are going on a war right ?

Karn sighed, he closed his eyes and a shining golden armour appeared on his body. All were in awe seeing the armour from up close.

Karn :- Fine now, pitamah ?

Bhisma chuckled and noded.

Sahdev :- Can I touch it Jeystha ?

Before he could touch the armour with his finger, Karn stopped him.

Karn :- Don't, don't ever try to touch it with naked hands.

Arjun :- Why so Jeystha ?

Karn :- Don't blame me if it burns down your hand.

Elders smiled. Gandhari did their tilak starting from Karn, they all took blessings of elders. 6 brothers touched Kunti's feet.

Kunti :- Vijayi bhava putron. (caressing Karn's cheek) Take care of your brothers.

Bhisma saw the princes departing, lead by Dron and Ashwatthama. Only Karn got a chariot, as others preferred horses. ----------------------------------------------------------- Princes and Dron along with their army set their tents near the border of Kamakhya forest.

Karn and Dron were in a tent discussing about tommorow's attack.

Dron :- Any idea about winner ?

Karn :- (expressionless) I have practiced with my brothers but I haven't faced Maharaj Drupad in battle, so can't say about his techniques, moreover it depends upon strategy they put to use.

Dron :- Only thing to worry about is Chakravyuh.

Karn :- I felt only Arjun knows how to break vyuhs, and somewhat Yudhisthir, but rest of them are a problem.

Dron :- He definitely would have. He had been my best student since day 1 of ashram. But still I want to see who else remembers my teachings.

Karn :- I think I should go and check on them, might as well give them some advises.

Dron :- Okay then, subhratri.

Karn went out without saying anything, Dron sighed. He came out of tent and started moving towards the tent of his brothers but stopped in tracks.

Karn :- (thought) I should check on Duryodhan first.

He entered the tent of Kauravs. Duryodhan gritted his teeth seeing him, others just looked at him blankly, Vikarn and Yuyutsu sighed.

Vikarn and Yuyutsu :- Pranipat Jeystha.

Karn :- Kalyan ho.

Vikarn :- What happened Jeystha ?

Karn :- I came here to check on you all. What's your strategy ?

Duryodhan :- You don't need to worry Jeystha, our strategy has been decided and we are well prepared for that, you should go and check on your brothers, they might be needing some help.

Karn sighs and moved towards Vikarn.

Karn :- I think only you here are worth advising. Don't enter enemy's army immediately, wait sometime for their strategy, specially in case of Maharaj Drupad. He is expert in trapping his enemies, so for once stay behind and observe, rest I leave on you.

He smiled and went away, when he entered his brothers tent, he found them standing around a table, all had a serious face on, while Yudhisthir had a frown.

Karn :- What happened, why are you all so morose ?

Yudhisthir :- Jeystha, this is guru dakshina, all the students should attack together but Duryodhan is not ready for that.

Karn :- Nothing can be done now, what's your strategy by the way.

Bheem :- Daimond move, in which Arjun will be in the center, I will take the front position, bhrata Yudhisthir will be on the right, Sahdev will occupy left while Nakul will be at the rear. All we have to do is to take him inside to Drupad, rest depends on him.

Karn :- Simple and deadly, but there is a problem.

Nakul :- What problem Jeystha ?

Karn :- Their senapati, princess Srikhandini.

Yudhisthir :- What ? A female in war.

Karn :- Surprised now only, but it's just the start.

Sahdev :- Isn't it adharm to raise weapons on a female.

Karn :- If you want to reach Maharaj Drupad, you'll have to do it.

There was a silence for some moments. 5 brothers were confused on what to do.

Arjun :- I will.

Yudhisthir :- But Arjun....

Arjun :- Bhrata, that lady is a warrior, and a warrior cannot be differentiated by gender, cast or colour.



Yudhisthir :- At last it is still adharm.

Karn :- If not attack, you can disarm and capture her, will it be fine.

Yudhisthir noded but he was still not convinced.

Karn :- Arjun, remember one more thing.

Arjun :- What Jeystha ?

Karn :- That illusions are just like slaves, they will not do anything without orders of their master.

Arjun :- What does that mean ?

Karn :- I couldn't find out, but gurudev told this to me when I went on a fight for the first time.

Bheem :- Anything else Jeystha ?

Karn :- I have faith in you all, always be together, remember that you five are fingers of a hand, together you make a fist that will destory every hurdle in your way.

Sahdev :- And you are the palm, holding us together.

Saying so, they shared a group hug. Breaking the hug they touched his feet.

Karn :- Vijayi bhava.

All the brothers noded and left for their respective tents with determination in their eyes. ----------------------------------------------------------- Next day, as usual Karn was doing his morning prayers. After touching the Kalash to his forehead, he turned around to see Dron looking at him weirdly.

Karn :- What ?

Dron :- Will you not observe the war ?

Karn :- I think so, might join you in a few minutes.

Dron :- Waiting.

After getting ready, both of them mounted on Karn's chariot and went on a nearby hill, to observe the complete battlefield. ----------------------------------------------------------- At the battlefield,

Duryodhan :- I said that I will attack first and that's final.

Bheem :- It dosen't fits with me, this ain't happening.

Duryodhan :- You can join, but everyone will have to follow my orders.

Bheem :- I won't let this happen....

Yudhisthir :- Fine anuj, you attack first, we will join later.

Nakul :- But why bhrata...

Duryodhan :- Because our strength and number is more than you.

Sahdev :- (sighs) We should go where Jeystha is standing with gurudev.

Now all of them reached near Karn.

Dron :- Why are you here, will you not fight ?

Arjun :- No gurudev, bhrata Duryodhan wanted to show his valour first.

Dron :- Then you may have to wait, your turn will come soon.

Bheem :- He had belief on his strength, lets have a look.



All chuckled except Yudhisthir. ----------------------------------------------------------- Hastinapur and Panchal army came in front of each other.

Drupad and Duryodhan :- AKRAMAN!

Both the armies clashed with roars. Even after much protests of Vikarn, Duryodhan told everyone to penetrate the army and reach inside as soon as possible. Drupad and Srikhandini chuckled.

Drupad :- Putri, let them get some taste of Chakravyuh.

Srikhandini :- As you say pitashree. (Addressing the army) VYUH FORMATION!



The army changed to Chakravyuh, all the Kauravs got trapped inside, as they have penetrated almost half of the army. Now they had only one option to keep penetrating further. One by one princes got trapped as they reached to the inner circles.

Drupad :- Putri, go and capture them, I don't want anyone to reach the innermost circle.

Srikhandini :- Just relax pitashree.

She covered her face with a scarf and went towards Duryodhan, who somehow managed to reach the second last circle using his strength. He looked at Srikhandini, who was holding a sword and gestured him to attack. He took a deep breath, gathered all the strength he had left with and attacked, he swinged his mace so hard that it cracked the ground on impact point, but she was an adept sword weilder, she defeated him and knocked him unconscious. Soldiers started hailing their names.

Drupad :- Well done putri, I am extremely proud of you.

Srikhandini :- They have been defeated, I asked soldiers to check whether all the 106 princes have been captured.

Drupad's face now had a tensed expression, Srikhandini understood the reason.

Srikhandini :- So now is the time for eldest prince to attack.

Drupad :- Yes putri, place our trained elephants at the positions, we can't take any risk.

Just then a soldier came running towards them.

Soldier :- Hail Maharaj Drupad.

Drupad :- What's the news ?

Soldier :- Maharaj, there are only 101 princes captured.

Srikhandini :- What ? 101, then where are the other 5. ----------------------------------------------------------- Near the hill.

Bheem :- Wow, so much strength, I am astonished Duryodhan.

Karn :- No time for jokes, it's your turn, go and complete your guru dakshina.

Yudhisthir :- Okay Jeystha.

All 5 touched Karn and Dron's feet then went towards the army, on their horses. Here Drupad got the news of Pandavas arrival.

Drupad :- Putri, continue the formation, once their army is destroyed, they will be defeated automatically.

Srikhandini noded and gestured the soldiers to continue. 5 brothers stood in front of Chakravyuh.

Yudhisthir :- Arjun, here only you know how to break this vyuh, you will have to lead us.

Arjun :- Sure bhrata, but not from here, move towards left.

Now they arranged themselves in daimond form and entered the vyuh. ----------------------------------------------------------- At the hill, Sat Karn and Dron, watching as 5 brothers kept penetrating the vyuh. Dron glanced at Karn, the same radiant boy who was once rejected by him. He wondered if he would have accepted Karn that day, he would have got another great student same as Arjun.

Karn :- Thinking about that day ?

Dron's stance was broken by Karn, as he looked at the eldest prince.

Karn :- No need to regret, you wern't the only one to send me back.

Dron :- Did someone else ?

Karn :- (sighs) At a point, it had became my habbit, waking up, getting ready, knocking on an ashram's door only to be scolded and told to go. I lost count after a few dozens, sometimes I felt that I was not a human anymore, I felt like an animal, who was just born to be bullied by others.

Dron sighed looking towards the battlefield.

Karn :- Mind if I ask a question ?

Dron :- Sure, why not.

Karn :- Was it really the matter of my cast that day, the reason of my rejection.

Dron :- No, everyone has a right on education, it was just that you came to an ashram that was meant only for kshatriyas or rajputras.

Karn :- At least you have an excuse, many don't even know why they're doing a particular thing, just because it is a rule put up by God damn society.

Dron :- Excuse huh (chuckles expressionless) This word is so small to define the pain of a father whose son had to drink the mixture of flour and water thinking of it as milk. It cannot explain the misery of a man who gets insulted by his own best friend for asking a cow, this word cannot elaborate the unspoken words of a slave of Hastinapur throne, who has to follow king's order, no matter what. At least living as an animal is far better than being a slave, you have some freedom to do whatever you want.

Karn looked at him to see the pain behind those unshed tears.

Karn :- It hurts, to see people suffering in front of your own very eyes but couldn't do anything, specially when it comes to our loved ones. To see people in pain because of you and nothing can be done.

Dron :- Whom did you cause pain ?

Karn :- Radha maa, she loves me a lot and wants me to be always happy, but all I could give her was tension, pain, and those white hairs. I knew that she always prayed for my safety, but I was mad to become a warrior. I don't even know if I am the same person I used to be, years ago.

Dron :- Time can change anything and everything, have a look at results, you got the greatest teacher as your guru, the same person who taught myself, you are the eldest prince of kuru vansh, eldest brother of 5 great warriors.

Karn smiled faintly and shook his head.

Dron :- What ?

Karn :- Your words, they sound same as gurudev's.

Dron :- I think we're on the same side now.

Both of them looked at each other and smiled.

Dron :- Well, I wanted to ask you a question.

Karn :- Go ahead.

Dron :- As far as I knew, gurudev only accepted Brahmins as their students, how did you impress him.

Karn recalls the lie, and his guru's angry face, but he ignores the thought and maintains a smile.

Karn :- Long story short, I was lucky enough.

Dron chuckled and noded his head. ----------------------------------------------------------- Back at war, Pandavas broke the entire Chakravyuh with the help of Arjun. On entering the innermost circle, they found Srikhandini standing in front with a sword in her hand. Yudhisthir noded at Nakul, who engaged in a duel with her. Arjun reached near Drupad.

Drupad :- I'm impressed by your valour kid. I suggest you to retreat b'cuz if I defeated you, all your brothers will be my slaves.

Arjun :- What if I defeat you Maharaj Drupad ?



Drupad :- I shall free your brothers and forgive your guru for his audacity to attack me.

Arjun :- (furious) Only time will tell Maharaj Drupad, that who will be on whose feets, pick your bow and fight.

Both of them started attacking each other vigorously, Drupad shot some arrows towards Arjun, who countered them easily.

Arjun :- Let me remind you Maharaj Drupad, it is a war, so there is no need to waste your time in this.

Drupad :- KID! till now I was thinking to spare you, but no you are worth nothing but death, now face my wrath.



Arjun :- Waiting for it Maharaj.

Again astras were showered on each other, no matter how much Drupad tried, he was no match against skills of Arjun who overpowered him. Drupad shot Mohini astra, Arjun countered it using Andhak astra.



Drupad unleashed Nagastra, to which Arjun summoned Garudastra. Drupad picked up his sword and threw it towards Arjun, who broke it with an arrow. Drupad was enraged, he raised his bow to fight again but Arjun's arrow broke it before any astra could be summoned, next arrow killed the elephant throwing him on ground. Arjun was going to attack when he noticed 5 Drupad, instead of one.

Drupad :- Hahaha... Kid, what will you do now ?

Arjun kept looking at the illusions when Karn's voice ranged in his ears. 'Illusions are just like slaves, they won't do anything without orders of their master'.

He observed them for a moment, all were copying eachother well, just then other four glanced at one Drupad with the corner of their eyes. Arjun immediately summoned Naagpash and bind him.



Yudhisthir blew the cronch shell signalling the end of war.

Srikhandini, who was fighting with Sahdev got shocked, how could an inexperienced prince defeat her father. Bheem freed all the Kauravs. Now both Drupad and Srikhandini were tied up and bought at Dron's feet. Karn hugged his 5 brothers with a proud smile.

Arjun :- Gurudev, your guru dakshina.

He gestured towards bound duo of father and daughter.

Dron :- How are you feeling Drupad, being at my feets, I cannot call you my friend now, you are not even equal to my student. I kept my promise of training a student, capable enough to defeat you, now Panchal belongs to me, my son Ashwatthama will be crowned the king and you'll be doing his raj abshek. Come, you have dues to pay.

Karn :- Wait everyone.



----------------------------------------------------------- Spoiler :-

Banasur stood in front of him with eyes red in anger, Karn couldn't move, his feets were jammed at a place, his breathing became ragged.

Banasur :- (angrily) You betrayed my daughter, you left her when she needed you the most, the pain she is suffering today is because of you. You're a traitor, betrayer, lair, coward, it's all your fault....

Karn :- (screaming) NOOOOO!

He closed his ears tightly and stumbled down, as tears made their way through his eyes.

Karn :- (wiping the tears) I didn't do anything wrong, it wasen't my fault....

Suddenly, a hit with mace knocked him on ground. ----------------------------------------------------------- Did you like the chapter ?

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