Maids of Ghandhari saw her condition and decided to take her to the chamber of Bhanumati though they hadn't heard the conversation they knew it was something that had adverse effect on Ghandhari. They came to the chamber of Bhanumati and knocked, Bhanumati opened the door and was shocked to see the condition of her mother in law. A lady who remained poise and strong facing everything was looking broken to her. She was very concerned and looked at maids who shook their heads. Bhanumati immediately held the hands of Her mother-in-law and brought her into the chamber while indicating everyone to leave them alone. She brought her to bed and gently but concerned asked,

Bhanumati : What happened Mata?

Ghandhari who was thinking about everything Kunti had told her. In distress she held hands of Bhanumati and asked,

Ghandhari : Am I a good mother according to you putri, tell me the truth?

Bhanumati wasn't expecting anything of this sirt was shocked and surprised.

Bhanumati : Of course maa, you are a good mother. Why are you asking this suddenly? Is it because of the war Hastinapur has faced?

Ghandhari : War is part of reason putri, today someone has made me recognise that I neither was nor am a good mother.

Ghandhari was contemplating whether to tell Bhanumati about meeting Kunti but decided against it without talking to Karna first. The shock about Kunti Karna's conversation hasn't washed off till now and she knows telling anyone without the acknowledgement of Karna himself would be wrong.

Bhanumati on the other hand was perplexed as to who and what her mother-in-law was talking about. She has personally seen how much Ghandhari loves her children but she could see she was vulnerable so she has to be there for emotional support.

Ghandhari (continued) : Some have shown me today, how much I failed in being a mother, I never gave much time to my children. I have 100 children but it was Duryodhana that raised them given the love that i should have given them. All i did was to give birth to mass of flesh from my womb and they all bithed from pots maybe that's why I concentrated more on being good wife and queen rather than mother. You know putri everyone is aware of Duryodhana trying to poison Bheem but nobody knew that Bheem use to bully my children, he even came close to killing few of them. Duryodhana used to come to me but I always told him to have a good relationship with Pandavas because I always thought it to be a children's dispute and exaggeration until once Dhussan was very injured even then I told children to have patience. I acted like a queen not a mother then maybe that is why my children drifted from me. They love and respect me but Duryodhana is everything for them because like a father and mother he shielded them from everything. If at that time instead of giving lecture of patience, faith etc I would have confronted Bheem my children would be close to me.

Duryodhana, my child who was always neglected by everyone else except bharat shree must have felt I too am neglecting him because he was considered a bad omen. What have I done? For sake of unity among family I repeatedly ignored the continuous scratching of same wound on my Duryodhana. I forgot that by doing so the wound would evolve into an injury that would leave a permanent scar on my son. I tried my best to be queen rather than a mother so I never spent time which I should bhabe spent with my children. 13 years ago I left because women inside me weren't allowed to be in Hastinapur but never as a mother did I think I was abandoning my children and even now after getting to know about my eldest I am here.

Ghandhari was already breaking down, Bhanumati beside her and was hugging her but even she was thinking about everything her mother in law had told her. She knew how much her husband means to his brothers but never has he said anything about his parents never being there with him. This made her realise that her husband has a side and past even she was unaware of. When talk of abandonment came her heart shook because she too was guilty of that though she met him but that wasn't any better, maybe worse even seeing her husband's condition, she put forward the condition to be with him instead of being with him. Didn't she take a vow in front of sacred fire that she would be with him through his joy, sorrow, thick and thin. But she forgot her vows when her husband didn't, very easily he could have married someone else but he didn't which shows the love he has for her but what she did left him and also took their children with her too. She too was guilty of abandonment.

Before she could convey her thoughts there the door of the chamber was smashed open and a crying lakhmana entered the chamber. Both the ladies parted from their hug and looked at her. Lakhmana immediately plunged into the arms of her mother and was crying continuously. This scared nith of them. Ghandhari and Bhanumati asked her what happened but Lakhmana just gave Bhanumati the letter Lakshmana sent to her. Bhanumati took the letter and began to read, now three were crying even more as they read the letter. At the end of the letter three of them have the same condition. The letter informed them the condition of Duryodhana and the truth about what happened in and after the war. There was no time needed to decide what would be the next course of action, they needed to return to see Duryodhana otherwise they may lose him or worse couldn't be with him in his last moment. Ghandhari worded the decision while rest agreed, they decided to inform others. Ghandhari said that she would inform Karna and Vrushali whereas Bhanumati and Dushala should inform others, especially Bheeshma and Dhushala. The family should return to Hastinapur in these dire times.

Ghandhari did this for several reasons but foremost among them was to meet a son who accepted her when she had nothing but now she knows that he should be the eldest of the entire Kuruvansh of the current generation. A child who got abandoned by everyone but he never shied away from accepting whoever came to him. Of course she always doubted Karna was divine but getting to know that he is blessings of Suryanarayana himself was something else. Now she understood why he has such qualities and abilities. She doubted whether Karna already knew the truth or he got to know now. She wouldn't be surprised if he knew before, otherwise why would he take care of them or anyone related to Hastinapur after what he faced there. Truly only the son of Suryanarayana could be so impartial like his father gives light to the world burning himself be it dev, asur, nag, yakh, danav, rakshas, human, etc his son was exactly the same. She needs to have conversations with him. A child deserves everything on a silver platter but had to build everything with his own hard work. A divinity which was rejected and treated crudely by society. Almost all Kshatriye and Brahmins pray to Suryanarayana but never shy away from insulting suryaputra. Thinking everything she went towards the chamber of Karna while pondering how good it would be if Karna as a eldest Kuruvanshi became king of Hastinapur but was it possible.

Karna who returned from his evening prayer notified everyone that he wants to be alone for the night. His decision shocked and surprised everyone, especially Vrushali as they couldn't guess what could be the reason for sudden isolation. He was sitting in his chamber while thinking about everything that happened, he wanted to laugh loudly as much as he wanted to wail. He knew such a day would come where his birth mother would come to accept him for her other sons. He was mentally prepared for it but when it happened he couldn't help but think about his misfortune. He knew his mother had lied to him in almost everything she told him, would it kill her to just say why exactly she came for instead of making such lies. She must have thought he was unaware of everything and was trying to manipulate him to do his bidding. He didn't know whether to cry in himself or laugh at her. He was thinking how unfortunate it was to be born from the womb of such a woman. His thought process was broken by knocking on the gates of his chamber. He was surprised because he clearly told everyone that he wants to be alone so who could be here as his family never disturbed him in these times not even Radha maa or Vrushali have ever tried to disturb him when he wants to be alone for his work. He stood up and went to the gates because if someone was disturbing him then there must be a reason behind that. He opened the gate and was shocked to see Ghandhari there with Bhanumati. They both still had tear marks left on their face and their eyes were red.

Karna : Mata, sister What happened? Why are you crying? Tell me I would solve the problem that is causing you pain.

Ghandhari : Yes, Putra Karna. I want to talk to you about something in private. I want to ask you something soon and I know you wouldn't decline my request.

Karna : I have told you Mata, your words are commands not requests for me. Please come inside.

Ghandhari : Putri, Bhanumati. You go and inform others while I talk to Karna.

Bhanumati was feeling she was missing something but did as Ghandhari told because time was of the essence. She left while Karna himself held hands of Ghandhari and took her to a chair inside his room. He was holding her hands because he could feel she was trembling.

Karna : Mata, what happened?

Gandhari : Putra, I want to ask you something, can I be assured you will speak the truth with me.

Karna : Of course, Mata.

Ghandhari : How long have you known the truth about your birth?

Karna stilled while Ghandhari felt him freezing up. She understood she had hammered the nail on its head.

Ghandhari gently caressed the hands of Karna while cupping his face. Again she gently asked : Since when Putra? Tell me please.

Karna : How?

Gandhari : I heard the interaction between you and Kunti at dusk. I felt something wasn't right when you left without speaking a word, so I guessed you may have known before. Tell me Putra, how long have you known that you are the son of Kunti, blessings of Suryanarayana and eldest of Kuruvansh in this generation.

Karna : Mata I have known the truth about my birth since the first time Hastinapur was invited to Brahamnagri, after my fight Dwarkadhish himself told me about my origins.

Ghandhari : Then why haven't you told anyone about it Karna?

Karna : Mata, I was nothing but a mistake to Rajmata Kunti. I was born before her wedding, according to her I was nothing but a sin which she washed in Ganga. As for telling anyone Mata, What should I say to everyone that I am a bastard, illegitimate and born before the wedding of the kuntibhoja Princess. What would have that achieved Mata also I will never be Kaunteya, I was,am and Forever will be addressed as Radhey.

Hearing Karna address himself as sin, Ghandhari was very shocked and appalled. She was shocked to hear Karna still addressing Kunti as Rajmata. She knows Karna is someone who brimmed with mercy for anyone and everyone but still has a poker face regarding his birth mother.

Ghandhari : But Kunti is now ready to accept you as her son.

Karna : No mata, Rajmata Kunti was not here to seek her long abandoned eldest son, she came here to ask help of her illegitimate child for her illustrious five legitimate Pandavas. None of the words she spoke were true except that she gave birth to me and abandoned me like trash. She has known about being my mother long before but she didn't come then and now she came here to use me as a tool. If I wasn't strong enough or I didn't have a kingdom this strong she would have never bothered to acknowledge me or come here. I guess she must have wished for my death in river Ganga but I survived by the grace of almighty.

Ghandhari : What?

Karna : Yes Mata, this is my life. And honestly speaking, I have come to terms with it as well. but leave it, and tell me why you and Bhanumati were crying? Is this revelation, the cause of the tears in the eyes of my mata and sister?

Ghandhari knows Karna was trying to diverge the topic from him onto her but she didn't force him to continue because from what he talked she knew it wasn't a topic Karna would like to speak further. Her blindfold was wet feeling the pain of Karna behind his neutral voice but before her tears could cross her cheeks in one swipe Karna vanquished it.

Karna : Mata, don't cry for me or pity me. I accepted my fate long before.

Ghandhari nodded because that's all she could do at the moment.

Ghandhari : Putra, only I know of this. I didn't think it was right to tell others without speaking to you. Should I tell others about this? If I had any idea, the situation would be so different, it's Hastinapur's misfortune to lose a gem like you.

Karna : Mata, we can't live with the possibility of “if” in this world. Vrushali is aware of it and so is Pitamah. I only told Vrushali about it, Pitamah got to know about it from Par pitamahi Ganga. Please keep this to yourself, as I said this is a secret of Rajmata Kunti only she could speak of it in public which I doubt she ever would. Also it will hurt my Radha maa, for her I am her Vasusen nothing more or nothing less and I am happy with it, neither being called Sutputra or Suryaputra is of any importance to me, being Radhey is a matter of pride for me.

Gandhari : Radha is indeed blessed to have a son like you Putra.

Karna : No Mata, it's quite the opposite. I am blessed to have a mother like her. Tell me Mata what other things you wanted to talk about.

Gandhari nodded at this, she doesn't know how to bring up the second reason that she came here. Karna gave her a residence when she and her daughter were basically nomads not only that he gave her the respect of mother and her daughter was cherished as sister by him. Now she wishes to leave with almost everyone in her family who got nothing but love and respect from him. This time was very critical because agyatvas were going to end and the presence of Draupadi and Sahdev were known to them. One misspoken word could be a disaster especially now. She just handed over the letter of Lakhman to him. Karna who read the letter got to know everything, he immediately grasped the reason for visit of distressed Ghandhari and Bhanumati. He knew this was a matter of grave importance to her and also realised her hesitation.

Karna : Mata, why are you hesitating after reading this? You should immediately prepare to leave for Hastinapur along with everyone.

Ghandhari (shocked) : But….

Karna : Mata, you don't have to worry about anything. I trust you all enough that you won't reveal information about Draupadi and Sahdev, in fact even if Hastinapur became aware of it, believe me nothing would change. Mata go with all the peace and no worry in your mind.

Ghandhari : Thank you, Putra Karna. I don't know how to express my gratitude.

Karna : Mata, you are making me a sinner. What gratitude are you speaking of? Am I not your son? How could I stop a mother from visiting her children too in this situation. Go and take some rest, Mata. Tomorrow morning all the arrangements would be done for your journey, I will personally order to prepare for the fastest chariots to shorten the duration of your journey.

Ghandhari : Bless you, my child. Son, is their a way to find Vaidya Bhaskar by your spy network? You know about the situation of Duryodhana, Hastinapur has tried their best with medical facilities but everything seems to be in vain. I have heard of him, the divine Vaidya who could heal any or every injury. Please if you could, help me to get in touch and request him to come to Hastinapur to look at Duryodhana. I don't want to……

Her words may be left unsaid but Karna could grasp the meaning. Here was a mother doing everything in her power for her eldest and….

Karna : Mata, Don't worry he will accompany you on this journey himself.

Ghandhari : What? Meaning he is in brahamnagri itself, Putra.

Karna : Mata, he is standing in front of you.

Ghandhari was shocked, she already knew Karna's persona as Aditya the singer but never she believed he was Bhaskar too. Thinking back, one who knows divine sanjeevani only he could be Bhaskar. She didn't want to put Karna in an uncomfortable situation by asking his help because of all the Draupadi and dyut fiasco but there seems to be no choice left now.

Gandhari : But Putra, what about….

Karna : Mata, if you are worried about Draupadi then you don't have to. I can't say much but I can assure she won't have any problem, believe me.

Gandhari nodded, Karna then escorted her to her chamber himself finishing his seclusion. He dropped Gandhari into her room. As he was returning Vrushali was already there in his room. He told her to bring Draupadi, Radha and Adhiratha to his room to have discussion for his sudden leave. They have heard about the incident via Lakhmana and Bhanumati. Nobody has any opinion about it, not even Draupadi. In These years she has time to think about everything and everyone including Duryodhana. She has come to some conclusions that were hard for her to accept but nonetheless it was true, especially the qualities of Duryodhana and her flaws. Bhanumati, Dhushala, Gandhari, Lakshmana, Bheeshma were close family to her and for them she could put aside her bitterness especially since she already decided to forgive the Kauravas. Hearing Karna's announcement of going there along with them as Bhaskar was a surprise for them but they accepted it. After discussion everyone left except Vrushali who knew there was something else Karna was hiding. He could from everyone else but not from her, another part of his soul. Seeing she was still there Karna knew he had to tell her, he sat on bed along with her. Laying his head in her lap while she caressed his hair while getting more worried. Karna then began to tell her about his encounter with great Rajmata of Hastinapur along with her propaganda to say Vrushali was pissed was understatement of dwaparyug. She wanted to personally find Kunti and behead her with her Kadhak but for now she has to support her husband who seemed strong but was vulnerable at the moment. She knew staying away from Brahamnagri would be beneficial for him especially now. She stayed there like this while at night she hugged her husband and snuggled in his powerful arms.

Next day, Karna did his surya pooja after waking up. Miraculously Rajmata wasn't there to disturb him, maybe because of a lot of people there or other reasons. He then did the donation as fast as he could and returned to the palace where everyone was waiting for him. There was no time to waste so he immediately disguise as Bhaskar and left the kingdom while leaving responsibilities with his wife and ministers. Three chariots then left Brahamnagri in hurry. One which has bhanumati, Gandhari, lakhmana was there, second one has Eklavya, Dhushala and Apoorva while on third chariot Bhishma and disguised as Bhaskar Karna was there. They left Bharamnagri without alerting anyone through secret passage. They journeyed as fast as they could with little or no breaks in between. Being a neighbouring kingdom they reached the borders of Hastinapur in the duration of three prahars.