Shakuni was irritated. All he wanted his nephew to protest against the division and start a fight. But his stupid nephew readily agreed to this arrangement. Both he and Aswatthama tried to raise jealousy and anger against Pandavas but Duryodhana just said, 'Mamasri, I am happy as the Pandavas are out of my life. let them stay in their kingdom and let me handle mine. I need to be a good crown prince and a great king for my subjects. I don't want anyone to say that I wasted my time on fighting with my cousins, instead of taking care of my kingdom.'

Shakuni knew it was Karna's influence that changed Duryodhana. Taking Karna's suggestion Duryodhana was now giving more time in administrative works. Even Bheesm was happy seeing this change in Duryodhana. Though he never admitted but he started liking Karna. 'Maybe that boy is not that bad,' he thought. He still believed that Karna did an Adharm by learning archery but his heart was changing gradually. Sometimes he felt that if Karna was a Kshatriya then it would be best for all as Karna was born to rule not to serve.

But Karna was still confused about himself. Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw that girl. Many times he wanted to ask about her but he did not even know her name. And the works forced him to stay most of the time in the days in the palace. Sometimes he even had to spend the nights there. With Mahamantri's help, Karna helped Duryodhana to bring many reforms in Hastinapur. He helped him in trade treaties, foreign affairs. The subjects were also happy as Duryodhana implemented basic education, development of sanitization and health conditions in Hastinapur. Everybody knew that it was the prince's assistant who was influencing the prince so now Karna became very popular among the commoners.

Dhritarashtra also happy with his son's achievement, so he decided to raise the issue of Durtodhana's coronation. Everybody agreed, only Drona protested saying that Karna helped Duryodhana. Then Karna replied, 'Acharya, do you expect the king to do all the works? Even you all are helping King Dhritarashtra here. That does not mean you all shall be made the kings of Hastinapur. I just helped my prince but he is the one who achieved it.'

Duryodhana was overwhelmed. He never had anyone who trusted and respected him to this extent. Karna always gave credit for his hard work to Duryodhana. Duryodhana mentally promised himself that he would always protect Karna and would never ever let him go away from his life.

Preparations for Duryodhana's coronation was started. Karna himself went to Indraprastha to invite the Pandavas. But he was shocked after hearing about Arjuna's exile. he felt bad for both Arjun and Draupadi. He understood that Draupadi loved Arjuna more and his exile must have affected her badly. He was also a little upset that though Yudhishtir behaved politely but Bheem and Nakul still hated him. Bheem even told that Dhritarashtra wanted to disrespect them as he sent a Sutputra to invite them.

Duryodhana's coronation took place. Both Balaram and Krishna came from Dwarka. But the most important thing happened when Duryodhana lost his heart to the princess of Kalinga Bhanumati. Duryodhana immediately fell in love with her and he decided to send a marriage proposal to her kingdom. The day after the coronation Princess Bhanumati was roaming in the garden when Duryodhana came.

Duryodhana, 'Pranipat princess How are you?

Bhanumati also liked Duryodhana. She said, 'I am good Yuvraj, congratulations!'

Duryodhana, 'Thank you, Princess I want to ask you something. Look I always speak clearly and directly so I want to know, Will you marry me?'

Bhanumati, 'What marriage?'

Duryodhana, 'Why, don't you like me? It's okay princess I understand and I won't bother you again.'

Bhanumati was impressed with Duryodhana's childish behavior. She said, 'If I say no, will you not be angry? Kshatriya man doesn't take no so easily.'

Duryodhana, 'If it was the old Duryodhana, he may be angry and try to acquire you forcefully. But my Mitra told me that a true man will never force a woman. '

Bhanumati, 'Yuvraj, I am impressed. You are a good person and I also like you. Please talk to my father. I know he will be happy to accept your proposal. But I am also curious about you Mitra. Is he a prince or king?'

Duryodhana, 'He is neither a prince nor a king. But he is the best person I have ever seen in my life. It is due to his help that I achieved my dream today.'

Bhanumati, 'Prince you are really a wonderful man. You not only befriended a commoner but also praising him. Your friend is really very lucky. Prince, I want to meet him.'

Suddenly Bheem came here, 'What Princess you want to meet that petty Sutputra. He is nothing but a servant.

Duryodhana, 'Bheem don't you dare to say anything against Karna. Did you forget how he beat you all black and blue or do you need another lesson?'

Bheem roared and they almost started a fight but then Yudhishtir and Karna came there and they stopped them. Karna said, 'Prince Bheem, I am a worker here and everybody who is serving the king is a servant. So there is nothing shameful in it. In fact, any work that is done by honesty and diligence is a matter of pride not shame. But today saying these words against me you are showing your status to the princess.'

Yudhishtir dragged Bheem to his room. Yudhishtir, 'Bheem what's wrong with you? Did you forget that he helped us in Varanavart?'

Bheem (angrily), 'Jyasht he did not help us. It was all his conspiracy to remove us so that he can make Duryodhana the king. He sent us in hiding so that Duryodhana can rule.'

Yudhishtir, 'If he wanted to remove us from his path, he could easily kill us all. Why saving us?'

Nakul, 'Jyasht I don't know what did he help us, but one thing is sure. That man is not trustworthy. He is the best friend of Duryodhana but still betrayed them by saving us. If he can betray his best friend then he can do any adharm.'

Krishna (in mind), 'He did not betray his friend. He is trying to stop his friend to take the path of sin. These two are completely different things. Bheesm and Dronacharya always try to portray you Pandavas as the epitome of Dharma but you still are not able to come out from the jealousy and ego of your heart.'

In the garden,

Bhanumati, 'I am sorry Shreeman Karna. Just for me, Prince Bheem insulted you.'

Karna, 'Princess please don't say sorry. It is not your fault.'

Bhanumati, 'Thank you for saving my father. Maybe you did not notice but it was my father along with the other kings, whom you rescued from Jarasandha. He was also kidnapped by him.'

Karna, 'Princes it was my duty and I was not alone. Vasudev was also with me.'

Bhanumati was impressed with Karna. She told Duryodhana that she would talk to her father about his proposal. Duryodhana gave her an eagle from Gandhar as a gift so that she could send him a letter.

After the coronation, Bhanumati left. But in Kalinga a big danger awaited for her. When they reached Kalinga Praddep with the help of Dhumrasur killed his father and imprisoned Bhanumati. Dhumrasur was attracted to his beauty and he wanted to marry her. Pradeep was so blinded by greed and lust for power, that he readily agreed to give Bhanumati to an Asura's hand. Bhanumati was scared but she was an intelligent girl. So she agreed to their proposal but secretly she sent a message to Duryodhana.



Duryodhana was enraged when he got the news. All he wanted to take the army and marched to Kalinga. But Shakuni and Dhritarashtra said not to attack Kalinga as it would be fatal to fight Asuras. Bheesm was agreed to Duryodhana as it was a duty of a Kshatriya to help a damsel in distress, but Shakuni convinced Dhritarashtra that it would be a waste of soldiers to fight an Asur just for a woman.

Duryodhana asked for Karna's suggestion. Karna, 'Mitra you loved her and it is your duty to protect her at any cost.'

Duryodhana, 'But Pitashri will not agree to send the army. n fact we are having trouble on our border with Chedi. If we remove the army from there then Chedi will attack us.'

Karna, 'Then we can do one thing. Let's go and save her by ourselves.'

Duryodhana, 'Mitra but there will be Asuras. I am not afraid to die but dying is not the solution to this problem.'

Karna, 'Trust me, Mitra. I will unite you with your love.'

In Kalinga

Pradeep and Dhumrasur were planning to conquer some kingdoms to increase their strength. They were also planning the wedding. Bhanumati sat in her room and was crying, thinking about her fate. Suddenly she heard the news and looked at the window. There is saw 'Shikra', Duryodhana's eagle with a letter. It said her to be ready on the wedding day as Duryodhana will come to take her away.' Bhanumati prayed to Lord Mahadev to save her and her love.

Next-saving Bhanumati