House is made home by the people residing in it.



The following day brought great joy to all. Indra Dev had requested Mayasur to construct a divine city for them, and now, it was finally completed. Everyone was eager to see their new home.

Indraprastha stood ready, serving as the capital for the brothers. The anticipation was palpable, and after a Bhumi puja performed by Advika, they ventured inside.

The palace exuded grandeur, with its beautiful murals and an overall magnificent appearance.

The brothers and sisters entered the palace together. Krishna had returned to Dwarka, citing the need to depart, despite their pleas for him to stay a while longer. His ever-charming smile carried a hint of knowing as he exchanged a similar smile with Karna. His parting words were simply, "We will meet soon."

"Isn't this place beautiful, Bhabhishree?" Draupadi inquired, taking in the surroundings.

"Yes, Draupadi! It's truly stunning," Advika replied, smiling at the expressions of awe on everyone's faces.

"Jyesht, Bhabhishree, let's go inside! I can't wait to explore the interior," Nakul said with a wide grin.

"Sure, let's go then!" Karna chuckled, observing the excitement on everyone's faces. With that, they all began to explore the palace. The servants who had accompanied them immediately set to work, eager to get things in order. The men and women split up to explore different sections of the palace.

"The bedrooms are enormous! Even larger than the ones in Hastinapur and Panchal!" Vritika exclaimed, marveling at the size.

"Yes, they are," Kalyani replied as she followed her younger sister.

Advika suggested, "How about we select the bedrooms we'll need?" Her soft smile radiated warmth as they all agreed and each chose a room.

"Please ensure that the rooms are made ready for us quickly," Advika instructed, turning to address the servants waiting behind her. They nodded in acknowledgment and promptly set to work.

"Bhabhishree, what should we do now?" Vandita inquired as they gathered in front of Advika.

Before Advika could respond, a servant approached her with urgent news. "Maharani, Maharaja has summoned you to the council chamber, along with the princesses."

"Go ahead, we'll be there shortly," Advika replied before turning to her sisters. "Let's go and see what's happening." With that, they all left for the council chamber in their new home.

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The throne room was vast and imposing, adorned with six enormous lotus designs that framed a pair of regal thrones. Each throne had an elegant staircase leading up to it. On one side, there were an additional twelve thrones, smaller and less ornate. On the opposite side, a spacious balcony was constructed, allowing guests to observe the proceedings.

The six men stood at the center of the room, all puzzled by the multitude of thrones that resembled those of kings. Karna, however, appeared not surprised but rather delighted.

"Jyesht, what is this? While the throne room is undeniably stunning, the number of thrones seems a bit excessive, doesn't it?" Yuddhisthir questioned, his confusion apparent.

"Be patient, Anuj. Let the ladies arrive, and I will explain," Karna replied, his eyes gleaming mischievously. His five brothers exchanged uncertain glances but concurred.

After a brief wait, the jingling of anklets announced the arrival of their wives. Devanshi was the first to inquire, "Is everything all right?"

Karna nodded and then spoke with authority, "Parihar!" In response, all the servants and attendants promptly exited the room, and the courtroom door closed with a resounding bang.

"Wow, this place is truly divine and beautiful!" Kalyani exclaimed, her eyes scanning the entire room. Everyone smiled at her amazement and nodded in agreement.

Advika, looking at Karna, asked, "What's going on, Arya? Please tell us soon." All eyes turned to Karna, their admiration for the room temporarily set aside.

Karna met their expectant gazes and began, "I have something to announce. I wish for Indraprastha to be governed in a manner similar to that of Dwarka."

"Are you certain about this, Arya? Dwarka's rule is collective, not an autocracy," Advika remarked, her brow furrowed.

Karna nodded, confirming her statement.

"Is this the reason for all these thrones?" Arjun inquired, his brow creasing in thought.

"Yes, Anuj. Each of you will hold an important position, and the twelve of us will constitute a council. The courtiers of the court will work under the guidance of these twelve," Karna explained.

"A council?" "All of us?" Yuddhisthir and Devanshi's voices chimed in at the same time, causing both of them to blush at their unplanned synchronization.

"Yes," Karna replied, an amused smile playing on his lips as he looked at the blushing pair.

Bhima, his brows furrowing, raised a valid concern, "How will this work, Jyesht? You are the Maharaja. Your decisions should carry the final authority, shouldn't they?"

"In the council, decisions will be reached through unanimous votes. My decisions won't hold final authority. We will thoroughly discuss matters before making any decisions. I place my trust solely in my family, not because I don't trust the courtiers, but because I prefer not to tackle corruption on my own. If we share the workload and responsibilities, we can accomplish things more swiftly. I intend to assign each of you a division to manage. The entire court, along with many other workers, will fall under your purview. You will serve as the heads of your respective divisions. In addition, there will be sub-heads or assistants who will work within the court but won't be part of the council. Their role is to report to each of you, with final decisions made by the council. And remember, this idea is a work in progress. I need all of your input and assistance in shaping it," Karna explained, his voice gentle yet resolute.

"Our ideas?" Vandita inquired softly.

"Yes, dear sister. I encourage all of you to brainstorm and share your ideas after careful consideration of what works best for you," Karna said, smiling.

They exchanged glances, and Yuddhisthir spoke up, "Yes, Jyesht!" Their collective agreement was evident.

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The girls were busy in the kitchen, preparing food, while the males had gone to ensure that the citizens who had come with them were settling in comfortably.

"I'm so happy. This place is beautiful and spacious, and at last, we can all breathe in peace," Kalyani remarked as she stirred a large pot of kheer.

"Yes, Behena. And not only that, we no longer have to endure those disgusting gazes from Dusshasan," Draupadi added, shuddering at the mere thought. She oversaw the preparation of a vegetable dish, with the daasis assisting her.

"I know, right? It made me so uncomfortable," Vritika concurred, her expression mirroring her disgust.

"Now, now, both of you, let's put those negative thoughts aside and think of something happier!" Vandita chimed in as she passed by, carrying a plate filled with laddoos.

Advika smiled warmly, content to hear the girls' laughter and banter filling the kitchen. However, her brows furrowed as she noticed Devanshi appearing somewhat absent-minded. She approached her and gently tapped her on the shoulder. Devanshi snapped out of her reverie and turned around when she saw Advika.

"Yes, Bhabhishree?"

"What's the matter? My sister seems a bit absent-minded today," Advika inquired.

Devanshi hesitated, then replied, "It's just that... I'm missing everyone. Mother, grandmother, Bhanumati..."

"I miss them too, Devanshi. I'm sure we'll see them again soon," Advika reassured her, her smile conveying a sense of optimism.

Devanshi returned the smile, her spirits lifting.

Vandita joined them and asked, "What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing important," Devanshi replied with a smile.

Advika's eyes gleamed with excitement as she addressed the group, "I don't know about the rest of you, but I am feeling quite content. And the reason is entirely different. Do you want to know why?" She stood at the center of the kitchen, her eyes sparkling, a smile gracing her lips.

"Why?" Draupadi asked as she approached Advika. Devanshi, Vandita, Kalyani, and Vritika gathered around, curious to hear her explanation.

"Because, in exactly 7 days, it's Deepavali. I'm thrilled that all the work was completed before this festival. I really wanted to celebrate it here," Advika shared with a radiant smile.

"Oh, I completely forgot!" Devanshi exclaimed, her hand hitting her forehead.

"Bhabhishree, do you know what Jyesht has planned for the festival?" Kalyani asked eagerly.

"No, dear. I plan to ask him during dinner. After all, this is the first festival we're celebrating together after all of your marriages," Advika replied.

"On top of that, we have a city to showcase. I can already picture the expressions on Duryodhan's brothers and Dusshasan," Draupadi said, giggling. Kalyani and Vritika joined in with their own giggles, while Devanshi and Vandita shook their heads.

"You're forgetting someone very important, my dear Draupadi," Advika interjected as she approached a tray of sweets.

"Who, Bhabhishree?" Draupadi inquired, curiosity piqued.

"Gandhar Raj Shakuni. Our dearest Mamashree," Advika added with a mischievous wink, sparking peals of laughter. Even the daasis couldn't help but hide their smiles at the jest.

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The dining hall was brimming with the delightful aromas of 56 delectable dishes. The women had prepared an abundant feast, enough for the entire city's residents, and food had been distributed to all the citizens.

Devanshi placed the last plate, filled with puris, on the central table. As she turned around, she accidentally collided with a sturdy chest. Strong arms wrapped around her bare waist, preventing her from tumbling onto the table covered with food.

When Devanshi slowly opened her deep black eyes, she found herself staring into Yuddhisthir's warm smile, which made her blush. Behind Yuddhisthir, Nakul and Sahadev cleared their throats and exchanged teasing grins.

"See that, Sahadev?" Nakul began, his smirk growing wider at Yuddhisthir's glare and Devanshi's rosy cheeks.

Sahadev joined in, saying, "Yes, Bhratashree, everyone saw it!"

Kalyani, holding a tray filled with laddoos, approached the trio and noticed only Yuddhisthir and Devanshi. She blinked in confusion before addressing her husband and brother-in-law.

Nakul's smirk widened at the question, and Sahadev responded promptly, "Not much, Bhabhishree Kalyani. Just that I witnessed something that my innocent eyes would rather not have seen..."

Kalyani couldn't help but giggle as she watched her elder sister blush profusely and Yuddhisthir appear slightly sheepish. Her laughter, in turn, brought a soft smile to Nakul's face.

The sound of payals and footsteps filled the room as everyone gathered. Devanshi accepted the plate from Kalyani, and the twins joined Yuddhisthir.

As they all settled in to enjoy the meal, including the women, the daasis served the food and quietly left the room. After a few moments of silence, while everyone indulged in the feast, Advika initiated a conversation.

"With Deepavali just a week away, Arya, do you have any plans?" she inquired.

Karna took a sip of water before responding, "Yes, I've decided to organize a grand havan on that day. We'll need to send invitations to Dwarka, Panchal, and Hastinapur. I also thought it would be wise to invite Gurudev. It will help minimize any potential issues."

The women's faces lit up instantly. Nakul added with a chuckle, "You're absolutely right. No one would dare say a word if Bhagwan Parshurama is present!"

Advika then laid out their plan, "Very well, my sisters and I will oversee the puja, havan, and food preparations. The rest, such as guest arrangements, decorations, and sending invitations, will be your responsibility, the six of you."

Nakul and Bhima seemed taken aback by the significant workload placed on them, and they protested, "But Bhabhishree..."

Advika, laughing at their reaction, cut them off, "No buts, Nakul. You're more than capable, and I have every confidence in your abilities."

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In the court of Hastinapur, an important matter was under discussion when a dwarpal entered, causing Dhritarashtra to furrow his brows as Sanjay conveyed the untimely interruption. Before he could inquire further, Bhishma spoke up.

"What is the matter? What is so urgent that you came while the court was in the midst of an important case?" Bhishma questioned, his brows furrowing.

"Mahamahim, a messenger has come with an invitation from Maharaja Karna! He wishes to meet the King immediately!" the dwarpal announced.

Duryodhan, with a smirk, chimed in, "He must have written a request for assistance, I'm sure."

Bhishma corrected him with a sweet tone, "You seem to have misheard, my son. The messenger mentioned an invitation, not a request for assistance."

Gandhar raj Shakuni, ever the strategist, intervened, saying, "How about we bring the messenger inside the court to hear the message?"

The messenger was invited into the court, and all eyes widened at his attire, which was well-made and indicative of the kingdom's wealth and prosperity. Messengers often conveyed not only important messages but also showcased a kingdom's affluence.

"Please, speak," ordered Maharaja, feeling somewhat uneasy due to the unusual silence in the court, though Sanjay had informed him about the reason for it.

The messenger addressed the court, saying, "May the King live long! I have been dispatched by Maharaja to extend an invitation to the royal family of Hastinapur for the auspicious occasion of Deepavali. The capital of the descendants of the late Maharaja Pandu, Indraprastha, eagerly awaits your arrival."

"In Indraprastha?" Vidur inquired, his smile widening.

"Yes, Mahamantri. The city is named after Lord Indra because it was he who instructed Mayasur to build the city on the land of Khandavaprastha," the messenger explained proudly.

Duryodhan, unable to handle this sudden turn of events, tried to find fault, sneering, "And why would Devaraja himself order the construction of a city for your King?"

"Yuvraja, our Senapati Rajkumar Arjun battled with Lord Indra, as the Nagavansh was under his protection. Meanwhile, our Yuvraja Yuddhisthir, Rajkumar Bhima, and Rajkumar Sahadev fought against a vast army of Rakshasas, daityas, and Nagas. When an Akashvani halted the battle, Lord Indra, pleased with the courage of our Maharaja and Princes, granted the city as a gift," the messenger declared with pride.

Bhishma beamed at the news, while Duryodhan clenched his teeth and Shakuni scowled even more. Maharaja felt a tad uneasy about his nephews' sudden success, and Vidur couldn't hide his grin. Other courtiers exchanged appreciative glances.

Shakuni, wanting to gather more information, inquired, "How do the people of Indraprastha view their new ruler?"

"They are overjoyed and consider themselves blessed to be in a kingdom bestowed upon them as a divine gift. The new kingdom is governed in a manner similar to that of Dwarka, as announced by Maharaja Karna upon its establishment. The entire kingdom is ruled collectively by a council," the messenger conveyed.

Shakuni muttered a curse under his breath, realizing he couldn't object to that.

"That is wonderful news. Have any new changes been implemented?" Bhishma inquired, his joy evident.

"Yes, Mahamahim, innovative changes have been put into effect," the messenger confirmed.

Maharaja asked, "Who has been invited?"

"Maharaja, invitations have been extended to Dwarka, Panchal, Madra, Kuntibhoj, and Kashi. Maharaja himself has gone to invite the revered Parshurama and Maharishi Vashistha," the messenger revealed.

Bhishma couldn't help but smirk, while Shakuni and Duryodhan paled. Their plans to cause trouble would need to be postponed; they didn't want to incur the wrath of such esteemed individuals.

As the sound of payals reached their ears, Maharani Gandhari, Rajmata Kunti, and Yuvrani Bhanumati arrived at the court.

"Is it true? We've heard that a messenger has come from our son Karna," Gandhari spoke softly.

"Yes, dear. He's right here. Please make him comfortable and ask any questions you have. The court session must proceed," Bhishma replied, gesturing toward the messenger.

"Pranipat, manyavar. Please come with us," Kunti kindly requested, and the messenger followed them.