After the tournament, Karna became the hero of the common citizens of Hastinapur. Especially the young generation made him their idol. The common people especially those who were deprived by the rich and powerful ones of HP started praising Karna and his family. Those who did not dare to raise voice against the illogical laws now started to question them.

In Hastinapur Palace

Shakuni to Duryodhan, 'Mere Bacche, Today I am very happy. That Arjun was defeated by a Sutputra.'

Dusshashan (smiling evilly), 'Did you see Guru Drona's face? It was worth watching.'

Shakuni, 'Now I got my biggest weapon. Duryodhana now you shall ask that Suta to join us. I will talk to Maharaj so that he can appoint him as your bodyguard. I had big faith in Aswatthama but he is just good for nothing. Now Karna is our biggest hope against Arjun.'

Duryodhana,' No Mamashree, I don't think Karna will agree to join us. That man seems morally upright.'

Dusshashan, 'Oh come on Jyasht, we can offer him money, properties, slaves. No man can resist the temptation.'

Duryodhana, 'No Anuj, didn't you see? When father offered him jewels he declined. Instead, he asked for help for those whose properties were damaged. If we want him with us, we have to do something that he will be impressed by us.'

On the other side of HP palace

Kunti's room

Kunti still did not come out of the shock that her eldest son was alive. It was the same young man she met at the temple. That newborn baby, whom she left into the river to die was not only grown into a handsome young man but one of the strongest warriors of the entire Aryavart. Lord Parshuram himself gave him the blessing to be Digvijayee. He also got education from Guru Brihaspati as well. Even he belonged to a suta family, still managed to get training from two of the finest teachers, which showed his intelligence and determination.

Kunti,' I don't know what to feel? Should I be sad that my son Arjun was defeated or be happy for my eldest? Oh Lord, maybe it is the result of my sin that my sons are fighting with each other.'

Priyamvada, 'Come on Maharani, why are you still thinking about the Sutputra? You have five legitimate sons. Think about them. They are your pride. Your eldest will give you nothing but pain and humiliation. He was just a curse whom you removed from your life. So just forget about him now.'

Kunti (crying), 'How could you say that? He is my son, the blessing from Lord Suryadev himself.'

Priyamvada, 'If you continue this, then one day everyone will know and all five Panadavs will be humiliated in front of the society. Your eldest son Yudhishtir will never get the throne. So please think about them. That illegitimate son of yours already has a family, so don't worry about him.'

Kunti, 'Yes, may be you right Priyamvada. I saw how his foster mother loves him. He is happy with his family.'

In Bheesm's room

Bheesm, 'That stupid Aswatthama, how dare he did such a heinous act? Now it created a raucous in the entire city. Aswatthama said that he tried that weapon on the bank of river Ganga where no one was around. Foolish him. Doesn't he know that a weapon like Brahhmmastra can destroy a large area'. Suddenly he jumped from the couch.'On the bank of river Ganga, Oh no....my mother. What happened to her? I hope she is okay, I have to go to her.'

Saying that he left the palace and took his chariot to go to meet his mother. When he reached the bank of the river, he was relieved by seeing the water which was normal.

Bheesm, 'Thank God Mata that you are safe. Mata please come I want to see you.'

Then Mata Ganga appeared. Devi Ganga (sad), 'I am impressed my son, now the great Bheesm has the time to come to see his mother's condition.'

Bheesm (with regret),'Mata please forgive me. I am so sorry that I did not come early. But I am happy to see you fine.'

Devi Ganga, 'Thanks to my son Karna that I am alright. If he was not here, then I will not be able to withstand the effect of the weapon. He healed me. But instead of praising him, you wanted to punish him? What's wrong with you Bheesm. Is that what I taught you?'

Bheesm '(shocked), 'Karna saved you? I mean I know he stopped the weapon but how did he heal you?'

Devi Ganga, 'Why don't you ask him by yourself? BTW I am highly disappointed in you. I took you to swargalok and gave you the best education. And you are using those training to serve those adharmis. Shame on you.'

Bheesm, 'But Mata it is my Dharam to serve my king.'

Devi Ganga (irritated), 'No your Dharam is to serve humanity. Now go, I have other works to do.'

Bheesm felt sad as his mother was very disappointed in him. So he left thinking about his mother's words.

Next day

The next day Duryodhana went to Karna's village. He took some of his soldiers and things that would be helpful to restore the damaged houses. On reaching there he saw Karna and some young men were helping the villagers to repair their houses. Duryodhana came there and everyone was shocked to see the Kuru Prince himself.

Duryodhana,'I am very sorry for everything. I brought aids to repair the village.' Everyone was happy hearing this and Duryodhana ordered all the soldiers to start the work. Then to went to meet Karna.

Karna, 'Panaam Rajkumar. It is so kind of you that you yourself bring aids for us.'

Duryodhana, 'No Karna, it is my duty to help my people. BTW you are a great warrior, I really like your style. You are very talented.'

Karna, 'Thank you Rajkumar, but it is my parents and my Gurus's blessings that make me what I am.'

Duryodhana,' If you don't mind me asking you, how are you so good in archery, I mean in HP Sutas are not allowed to learn it, so how come you be able to meet Lord Parshuram and Guru Brihaspati and got your training? And what is that armor that appeared magically on your body?'

Karna, 'Actually once rishi VedVyas came to our village and he took me to his Ashram. There I meet Guru Brihaspati and he gave me the location of Guru Parshuram. And the Kavach, I have it since birth. It is a blessing from the Gods.'

Duryodhana, 'Wow, you must be very talented that is why they gave you training. And I wish I have a kavach like yours.'

Then for some time both of them chatted. Karna realized, though Duryodhana was an egoistic and short-tempered person but he was not a bad soul. On the other hand, Duryodhana found Karna's proximity very soothing. Karna was a very witty and intelligent person but what attracted Duryodhana most was Karna's fearless attitude. He was not afraid to say what was right. Duryodhana as a prince was always surrounded by people who wanted to please him or wanted something from him. But Karna was selfless and honest.

Before leaving Duryodhana asked Karna, 'Look, I want to ask something from you,I don't have any friends and I want to make a friendship with you.'

Karna (surprised), 'Rajkumar, you want to make me your friend? But you are the Prince and you must have many friends around you? Why do you need me?'

Duryodhana, 'I don't have a single true friend, all of them are sycophants. I am tired of having people around me who always agree with me about anything and never give me true opinions. But you....you are an honest person. And your social status never bothers me as I believe in people's talent. So do you want to be my Mitra?'

Karna, 'Okay Mitra...but one condition. I never support adharma and as your friend, I will always stop you to do such an act. The day you choose the path of sin, you will lose me. Are you okay with that?

Duryodhana (smiling), 'Friends then?

Karna, 'Friend'

Duryodhana, 'So tomorrow I am inviting you to the palace. Please come early, I want to have breakfast with you.'

Karna, 'I will be there,'

After saying goodbye to Duryodhana Karna started thinking, 'I wanted to have an opportunity to stay near my birth mother and brothers. But my own brothers did not even talk to me properly except Yudhishthir. But Duryodhana make me his friend and invited me to the palace. Hm...this is a perfect opportunity to understand my family. Lord Mahadev told me that some problems are coming for my mother and brothers. Now I need to find what danger is coming.'

Krishna (in mind),' Karna, today you befriended the man who is going to be the problem for your family. If you can change Duryodhana that will be best for everyone but if you fail then you have to choose between your friend and family.'

Rukmini, 'But Prabhu, why did you allow Karna to befriend Duryodhana. Duryodhana is an adharmi who is trying to ruin Pandavas.'

Krishna, 'Devi no one is perfect here. Even Pandavas are blinded by their ego and pride. In spite of knowing Dharma, they insulted people based on their caste, while Duryodhana though did many wrong things but at least he respects others' talents. Both Pandavas and Kauravas will have a chance to redeem themselves. Karna will try to change Duryodhana while I will try to teach Pandavas. Let's see who will be able to change themselves.'

In Hastinapur palace

Dusshashan, 'What.. you invited that sutputra for breakfast. Come on brother, you don't need to do that. Why don't you give him money or offer him a position in the army? That will be enough to attract him.'

Duryodhana (irritated), 'Dusshshan, please don't use your brain as you have none. Let me handle him.'

Shakuni, 'Bhanje you did the right thing. A selfless man like Karna will never fall for money but they give immense value to friendship. If you behave properly then he will always help you. But you have to do your acting properly in front of him. You have to show him that you like him.'

Duryodhana (aloud), 'Yes mamashri.' (in mind) No mamashri it is not acting. I really want to be friends with him. I don't know why I started to like him. He is not like another person I met so far.'

Krishna (smiling), 'Duryodhana this is the best decision you made so far.'

Next episode- Bheem insulted Karna'a parents.