Hastinapur,

Entire Hastinapur gathered around its palace just to know about the well being of their king. A king whose reign made them feel like they were living in swarg itself in their mortal life. The rule of Duryodhana is undoubtedly the period where Hastinapur was most prosperous compared to past and this prosperity didn't come by the exploitation of its subjects but genuine good leadership of him. It was no doubt that when compared Duryodhana with his ancestors, he has surpassed them in every aspect. He has such support and love of its citizens, that some consider him father, guardian, brother or any other adjective that a good king should be addressed with. Hearing about everything happened a day before has terrified everyone, it was truth that they didn't think very much of their king before but his leadership and qualities as Yuvraj after division was slowly making them believe in him. But then came the cursed day of dyut Sabha where once again their opinion went low for him and this continued for few years but when he took position of king finally they had no choice but to acknowledge him. It may be something they thought was forced upon them as royal politics and propaganda but upon taking the throne their king showed capabilities like no one before him. The reforms, welfare and prosperity he brought was unprecedented for subjects of Hastinapur. Equality became basis of society which helped everyone especially the lower caste people and women. They got to admit and acknowledge their king, slowly but surely it grows to respect and then love. Now they won't even change him for Devraj let alone Devputra. Under his rule they got respect, care, education, freedom etc. What more do they need if they had such king and it was not only their king but all the Kauravas as well who worked tirelessly for their welfare. Their perspective of Kauravas was that they were arrogant, spoiled, and didn't respect anyone especially women but it all changed. Now they were here to know about wellbeing of their king. When they got to know that he was still unconscious they were very sad. They got to know how their king fought the entire army of asura along with their allies alone at night after his battle with some kingdoms that doesn't have a good opinion of Hastinapur during the day time. They were scared for their king, and were praying the entire night for his safety, while he was battling outside the borders alone to ensure the safety of his kingdom and its citizens. They were initially amazed and proud of his might, but on seeing the condition in which he was brought back from the battle field, it turned into sorrow and misery, and which made their heart bleed for the man who stood alone just o make sure that they were safe, and was now paying the price for it.

Outside borders of Hastinapur,

At this time, a chariot was moving away from Hastinapur hastily towards other kingdoms which were occupied by Rajmata Kunti and her maid priyamvada who was driving it after coming out of the borders of Hastinapur. Kunti took advantage of situation to get out of Hastinapur because she knew she had to do something and this was her chance because of such chaos nobody would pay attention and even if they did she doesn't care about them. No what she cares is right of her five children which is in danger. She lived all these years in Hastinapur so she personally knew about changes. Hastinapur was like before where she could manipulate the public opinion just by spreading rumors or exaggerating truth. Till now she played victims card since she came here be it when pandu has to go for war after marriage or bring madri with him or Pandu himself getting cursed, what everyone didn't knew that she already was aware of all this happening after all it was her curse from Suryadev, what she didn't knew or guessed that her husband would leave luxury and went to forest but her days wasn't hard especially after she birthed Yudhishthir. Till pandu was alive her life was deficit of luxury and riches hut she was happy but once again her husband and his second wife whom she pretended to be generous sister died and then she returned to Hastinapur. She then started coming on fore front of politics of Hastinapur, she knew her advantage was she was widow of late king and birth mother of heir of Hastinapur. She knew and utilized the opportunity of being a widow and gained sympathy of elders of Hastinapur while in hindsight, she developed a spy network inside Hastinapur for spreading rumors or exaggerating the goodness of her children and deeds of Kauravas. People are aware of Duryodhana poisoning Bheem but not about how Bheem almost killed several Kauravas, it was smart manipulation and political prowess of her. She went to elders crying even if scratch came to her children which created a larger rift between them and kauravas. Who could guess a weak woman like her could play so well, not even Ghandhar Raj. But everything got ruined after the visit to Brahamnagri where she got to know about her illegitimate child being one who her legitimate children punished. Her motherhood for him emerged but for sake of right if legitimate children she kept quiet. Things went downhill from there for her and her children especially after dyut sabha. She was already indifferent and angry about Karna defeating her children twice, at first she became indifferent and after second time seeing condition if her delicate children she hates his existence and more than once she wished that instead of flowing him in Ganga she should have slits his throat because he would have survived if she threw from mountain because of his kavach. Divine gifts like kavach and Kundala are a waste for someone like him, she thinks, especially the treatment she got in the aftermath of Dyut Sabha. She maintained her victim behavior and fooled her five children but lost the sympathy of Hastinapur, she even lost his precious spy network which she built by years of hard work. But now it wasn't the time, now she needs support of her illegitimate child for her legitimate children.

In brahamnagri,

A sabha was going on there, like usual the matter was being discussed suddenly a spy entered the Sabha.

Spy : Pranipat Maharaj, I am here to give you news about the war in Hastinapur.

Hearing this, the ears of almost everyone perked, especially of Bheeshma, Ghandhari, Bhanumati, Dhushala, Draupadi, Sahdev, and Arjun. Karna was aware of everything going on there so he didn't waste much time and asked.

Karna : Tell me its conclusion and what happened in it.

Spy : Maharaj, as you know entering Hastinapur is very difficult for anyone because of maya, so I and my companion observed battle from afar being hidden. The war most probably concluded in victory for the King of Hastinapur Maharaj Duryodhana. I left the field when it was almost finished but wasn't over for sure to give my earliest report. I am assuming someone will come later with a full report Maharaj.

Karna (nodded) : Tell me what have you seen.

Spy : Maharaj, Hastinapur was up against kingdom like panchal, madra, kashi, manipur, Shivi. There was also various other allied kingdoms of these kingdoms. Dwarka wasn't there but students of Dwarkadhish and Mahabali Balram up Pandavas fought alongside panchal.

Draupadi became restless hearing the news. The spy then explained what exactly he saw till Duryodhana defeated almost everyone except Drupad and Shalya. There was a pregnant pause there because the spy hasn't given information about everything which includes the well being of concerned individuals, the only conclusion and gist they got was Hastinapur was most probably the winner of war but casualties remained anonymous. There was some relief, some worry, concerns etc coursing through various people but Draupadi was one who was unable to Calm down. Karna gently held her hand to give her support. There was silence in the court which was broken by the sound of extremely fast footsteps.

In Hastinapur,

Even after consolation and request of Kauravas brothers, citizens were not ready to leave, they sat there only but not one of them hinder anyone but peacefully sat there to pray for Duryodhana. The acting king Dhussan was very busy in arranging everything, he was somewhat relieved that his brothers, uncles and others were there to help him when undoubtedly everyone was concerned about his jyeshtha. This was a delicate time for Hastinapur, they just won two very difficult wars and almost did Digvijay without leaving their kingdom. Now there were several steps needed to be taken first and foremost was to increase the patrolling around borders which was done by his brothers and children along with soldiers, not only that messenger need to be sent for alliance treaty of Kingdom that Duryodhana single-handedly won, oh he much prefer to destroy them but it was against Kshatriye Dharma and enough blood shed has already happened. Truthfully he didn't even care, if not for his decision to fulfill duties on behalf of his brother he would very much prefer to be with his jyeshtha especially in this time. Duryodhana was father to all kauravas and he knew how difficult it was for him and his brothers to just hold on but it was the only thing they could do besides having hope Jyeshtha would wake up. Physical injuries were healing but what worried them was he wasn't showing any sign of becoming conscious. They have all the belief in their jyeshtha, if with everything else he sustained then he would get through with this too. But it was undeniable that everyone was scared and was hoping for worst as they are clearly not prepared to handle the worst. Its truth that most of Aaryavrat was under Hastinapur but if this is with the cost of Duryodhana then nobody felt it was worth it. Whoever or whatever anyone in Hastinapur was, he /she was praying for Duryodhana. The atmosphere of Hastinapur was so depressing and worrying that one might assume it was they who lost with heavy casualties which would be wrong. Casualties were there but due to reform it wasn't hard to reshuffle, every citizen was more or less trained with the standard of common soldier and it may not seem much but it was terrifying. Dhussan also took care of injured or dead warrior's families with treasury but it will be filled soon by offering of the defeated kingdoms. And so, for now his focus was only on taking care of the kingdom and people, for whom his Jyeshth fought without thinking about himself and his safety.

With Kunti,

Kunti was in deep thoughts which was broken by her maid priyamada.

Priyamada : Sakhi, what is it you plan to do now? You haven't shared it even with me. We are going to brahamnagri but what would that achieve?

Kunti : Oh! Priyamada. How could you be such a fool? Can't you guess why we are going there?

Priyamada : To get support from your illegitimate child.

Kunti (smirked) : Yes, we are going to get his support. We already know his prowess, it is time he used it for me after all I gave birth to him.

Priyamada : Sakhi, I understand you want him to support Pandavas but would he? I am saying this because of your past with him?

Kunti : He would priyamada, no matter how great warrior he becomes, it's true that people call him Sutputra only when he will know he is Kshatriye he will be elated. It will give him validation, if it's for my five children I can do anything. I will use him so that they get what they deserve.

Priyamada (shocked) : Are going to tell him the truth, for you think he would help you after knowing you are his birth mother who had abandoned him. What if he refuses you or what if he tells you to accept him publicly.

Kunti (smirked) : Oh, priyamada I had hoped that you would have understood till now that tears of women are most destructive especially if it was of mother. All I had to do is show some waterworks and pretend to be pitiful. I think you know how good I am with it, I can fool the entire Hastinapur, what is Karna? But I thought of scenarios that you described. My illegitimate child doesn't return to anyone empty handed after surya Pooja. I will take advantage of it. I think I told you before that dharm itself is binding on the person who follows it. He loves that suta couple, especially that hateful suta woman whi he calls mother, he loves her very much. I don't have to worry about him publicly announcing anything. I will get everything i want by any means required, because of him my hard work of several years is destroyed so now he himself has to make uo for it and my Yudhishthir will be king of Hastinapur and i will be its only Rajmata. I remembered the insults I face in these 13 years I will return it with interest to everyone who dared.

Foolish Duryodhana has done me a favor, he won the entire Aaryavrat for my sons and is on last legs. Truthfully I was getting scared because of public opinion and his boons but now he is almost dead, even if he survives I don't think he can face Karna so this is the reason I am going there. I know Dwarka wouldn't help me because of Balram but brahamnagri has no attachment with Hastinapur. May be just bhanumati but she only helped Vrushali in war.

Priyamada : You have clearly thought of everything like always Sakhi. I pity fools that always underestimated you.

They both laughed hearing this, but don't know the upcoming doom that awaits them.

In brahamnagri,

The court was as tense as it could be because a news spy would be arriving soon with the news of what happened with the war. Not having the entire information yet, tension was palpable within the sabha. But suddenly fast footsteps were heard and soon another spy came to Sabha. He was on his last legs, Karna immediately ordered that he was fed water, after that was done.

Karna : What happened? And why are you in such hurry, that you almost gave away your life for it?

Spy knew his king was angry because of his extreme approach but it was unavoidable.

Spy : I am very sorry Maharaj but news is of such importance.

Karna : Oh! Then tell me.

Spy then began narration from where the previous one left. The entire sabha was shocked about what they were hearing. While the spy was giving the report to the king, different people were experiencing different emotions listening to the narration.

Draupadi, Arjun and Sahdev were happy that their children are safe but the shock they got from hearing the valor of Duryodhana scared the daylight off them especially when they heard he faced such an army alone and exterminated it.

Dushala was feeling emotions of fear, horror and dread. Bheeshma was both amazed and shocked by the deeds of Duryodhana.

Ghandhari was going through different emotions all together, since she heard of war she spent her time mostly in prayers and it wasn't hard to know why. Hearing her son faced two dangerous wars almost terrified her to death especially when she got to know Duryodhana faced such a large army alone. The spy hasn't concluded the battle yet so she was very scared for her eldest.

Bhanumati was another one going through such turmoil because of the plight of her husband. His valor was something she was proud of but not as of now because he faced such a huge army of surs and cruel rulers alone for safety of his kingdom. She has no time to be proud of his leadership but was scared about her own husband.

Spy: As Hastinapur won the war and were leaving the battlefield, they were attacked from behind by Rakshasas and few other Kingdoms. After which another battle began in the night. During this battle, it was very evident that Maharaj Duryodhana and his army were extremely tired, and were struggling to continue. Noticing which he asked his army and brothers to retreat from the battle field, after which he continued fighting alone with many rakshasas and kings along with their armies. He was like the yama himself in the battlefield. But human body has limitations, which finally caught up to him. And so, just before the sun was about to rise, Maharaj being completely exhausted was badly tortured by Kichak, who derived pleasure in inflicting pain on him. But with the last ounce of energy, maharaj Duryodhan somehow killed Keechak by twisting his head. But after that he too gave into his injuries and exhaustion, and collapsed in the battle field. And as the first rays of sunlight blessed the earth, his army and brothers came back, who then took Maharaj along with them, back to their Kingdom.

Along with that, based upon the battle it is evident that Hastinapur has won over the kingdom’s which participated in this war. But no one knows the condition of Maharaj Duryodhan. Some said he died, while others said that he is just recovering. What exactly is the truth no one knows except for the people in Hastinapur.

With that the spy finished what happened in the battle and afterwards.

Draupadi sighed in relief because her children were alright and alive after such a dangerous war, she knew they took part because of her and maybe because of that her sakha allowed it. Though they were defeated but it was much better conclusion in comparison to the worst that could have happened. Sahdev was amazed and slightly scared by the valor of Kauravas, especially of Duryodhana. He was sure none of his brothers could defeat him. Like Draupadi he was glad for the safety of his son and nephews. Arjun on other hand was thinking of a different thing, for the first time in his life he was scared of Duryodhana. He was thinking of amog mace and powerful astra that destroyed so many asur along with prowess of Duryodhana himself, getting back his kingdom and everything is almost impossible since Duryodhana alone won almost all Aaryavrat, their allies lost and are under Hastinapur now. Only if Karna supported them it would be possible to gain everything back but would he? Chances are very slim because of his promise to mata. He knew it was impossible because Ghandhari, dushala, bhanumati, and lakhmana were very dear to him. Whereas among them only Draupadi was so close to him, he knew Sahdev was also close but him helping them seems feeble. He was secretly hoping for the demise of Duryodhana. He would have to tell his brothers soon about it and think of something.

Ghandhari And bhanumati along with Dhushala, lakhmana left the court because they didn't want anyone to see them crying. Only they knew how they were feeling, they parted with Duryodhana but that never meant they stopped loving him. Ghandhari was feeling especially responsible because she stopped Karna to help Hastinapur. She steeled her heart then but what should she do now when news of possible death of Duryodhana came. Nothing in the world could prepare a mother to hear the death of her children. Bhanumati was the same as her, she wanted to leave but struggled internally between being a wife and her relationship in brahamnagri. Only thought, memory of Duryodhana were enclosing in their mind, since there were no news about well being of him or if even he his alive was not onown ti them. Tears were flooding through their eyes and thought of Duryodhana was encompassing them.

Bheeshma too had tears in his eyes listening to everything, it was helpful that he was sitting because he can't muster any strength in his body. The court was adjourned but the topic of such an epic battle spread throughout Brahamnagri. In all this Karna was impressed by Duryodhana very much because of his decision, he hoped and prayed that such good rulers wouldn't have to die. One who is willing to sacrifice himself for everyone was worthy of such respect according to him and he knew his wife Draupadi had forgiven him already. He hoped everything would be fine because agyatvas of Pandavas were on the verge of ending as two months already passed since they got news of battle preparation in the entire Aaryavrat, as he predicted two different parties were involved. Despite his efforts mother earth had to go through such a huge blood shed. He sighed thinking of a future that was just around the corner.

In Hastinapur,

Wives of Kauravas were sitting around and talking.

Charumati (wife of Dhussan): The condition of Jyeshtha is not improving. Although the injuries are healing slowly, but still, the exhaustion and injuries he suffered fighting alone is immense.

To this everyone looked down Sadly.

Ulka (wife of vikarn): I didn't know how much more Jyeshtha has to go through? All this because of that cursed day. People were hell bent on saying he or our husband doesn't respect women; they easily forget how well they treated us. They kept their promises to never remarry and treat wives of their brothers as sisters. Hmph but all everyone does is praise those Pandavas who broke promises given to their wives repeatedly. First to never remarry, then marry others and leave them in their birth kingdom after giving them children, they didn't even keep the promise of protection that they took in front of sacred agni to agnisara. Because of them Jyeshtha has to go through all this.

Roopmati (wife of Dussaha) : You are right jiji, look at what Jyeshtha lost because of them. These years are nothing less than torture for Jyeshtha. Only hope for him was to reunite with Mata and Jyeshtha jiji along with his children. I pray to the almighty that Jyeshtha becomes well and such things happen. I can't see Jyeshtha like this. He has always been there for us, our husband and our children.

Other nodded to that

Charumati : we all hope so. But we should be prepared too. Pandavas would come back, though Jyeshtha planned everything knowing that Bheemsen in absence of jyeshtha would not let us live in peace. We will show him why he should not mess with our family after all we are trained in shastras as well.

Others : nodded.

Ulka : I don't know what niyati has planned for our future. All we could do was pray for our family, and for an even better future.